Marize Ibrahim: Physical Therapist in Cancer Rehab

03/12/2026

I’m honored to be featured by the Fédération de natation du Québec, highlighting my volunteer work in para-swimming classification.

For over 15 years, I have had the privilege of contributing to the classification process, helping ensure fair and equitable competition by assessing the functional abilities of para-swimmers both on land and in the water.

Working alongside these incredible athletes has been deeply inspiring. Their resilience, determination, and passion for sport continue to remind me why inclusive and accessible sport is so important.

I am grateful to play a small role in supporting a system that allows para-athletes to compete, excel, and showcase their extraordinary abilities.

Depuis plus de 15 ans, Marize Ibrahim met son expertise de physiothérapeute au service de la paranatation. Bénévole lors d’événements de classification tenus par Natation Canada, parfois en collaboration avec...

03/06/2026

Today, we mark World Lymphedema Day...

Lymphedema is not a rare disease
It’s a disease that affects 250 million people worldwide – a disease that should never be dismissed
It's the stories of women & men living with this chronic condition
It's the ability to walk to work with shoes that finally fit
It's the ability of holding a grandchild in one's edematous arm without discomfort, while enjoying their joyful laughter
It's knowledge sharing with patients and healthcare professionals, as knowledge is what empowers us
It's the meaning of kindness and compassion when helping patients manage a condition we often neglect in medicine
It's fighting for the voices of many who are often voiceless....

To all my dear patients, thank you for continuing to be my best teachers! May your voices always give us the strength to continue moving forward with lymphedema care.

02/05/2026

Today, we mark World Cancer Day...

Today, I thank the oncologists, surgeons, and radiation oncologists who stand beside their patients through every stage of treatment.

Today, I thank the nurses whose knowledge, compassion, and expertise form the backbone of oncology care.

Today, I thank the physiotherapists working in oncology who strive every day to preserve dignity, function, and quality of life - before, during, and long after cancer treatment.

Today, I thank the nutritionists who guide patients in nourishing their bodies during times when eating itself becomes a struggle.

Today, I thank the caregivers who stand unwaveringly beside their loved ones, offering strength when it is needed most.

Today, I thank the volunteers who donate their precious time, walking the halls of chemotherapy units to provide comfort, nourishment, and kindness.

Today, I thank my patients - those who have fought and those who continue to fight. You remain my greatest teachers, always.

Today, I thank God for granting me the strength that guides my passion for supporting our patients living with cancer.

02/05/2026

Exciting Opportunity for Clinicians Interested in Breast Cancer Rehabilitation!

I’m thrilled to announce that I’ll be teaching again a 2-day live online course on Breast Cancer Rehabilitation, hosted by Embodia!

This course is ideal for therapists looking to deepen their knowledge and enhance their skills in supporting individuals through breast cancer recovery.

🗓 Live Online – Saturday & Sunday, April 25–26, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM ET
📍 Hosted by Embodia
🔗 https://embodiaapp.com/webinars/1074-breast-cancer-rehabilitation-marize-ibrahim

You'll gain practical tools, evidence-based strategies, and clinical insights to improve patient outcomes.

I look forward to connecting with all participants and exploring this important area of practice together!

Build confidence in breast cancer rehabilitation with this live online weekend course for rehab clinicians. Practical, evidence-informed training. April 25–26.

02/05/2026

Another incredible opportunity to classify Canadian para-swimmers!

To the remarkable athletes I’ve had the honour of medically classifying - your strength, resilience, and determination continue to demonstrate the boundless capacity of the human body and the transformative power of the water.

May we always recognize the capacity within every individual, regardless of one's condition.

11/23/2025

Exciting Opportunity for Clinicians Interested in Breast Cancer Rehabilitation!

I’m thrilled to announce that I’ll be teaching again a 2-day live online course on Breast Cancer Rehabilitation!

This course is ideal for therapists looking to deepen their knowledge and enhance their skills in supporting individuals through breast cancer recovery.

Live Online – 2 Days December 6 & 7, 2025
Hosted by Pelvic Health Solutions

https://courses.pelvichealthsolutions.ca/products/breast-cancer-rehabilitation-online

You'll gain practical tools, evidence-based strategies, and clinical insights to improve patient outcomes.
I look forward to connecting with all participants and exploring this important area of practice together!

Participants who register for this course have the option to attend the course live-online and/or watch the recording later. The recording will be available to all registrants for a 1-month period and access is provided on the next business day following the course. This allows participants who may....

07/18/2025

Exciting Opportunity for Clinicians Interested in Breast Cancer Rehabilitation!

I’m thrilled to announce that I’ll be teaching again a 2-day live online course on Breast Cancer Rehabilitation, hosted by Embodia!

This course is ideal for therapists looking to deepen their knowledge and enhance their skills in supporting individuals through breast cancer recovery.

🗓 Live Online – 2 Days September 27 & 28, 2025
📍 Hosted by Embodia
🔗 https://embodiaapp.com/webinars/1011

You'll gain practical tools, evidence-based strategies, and clinical insights to improve patient outcomes.

I look forward to connecting with all participants and exploring this important area of practice together!

Join Marize Ibrahim for this 2-day live online course to get the skills to provide comprehensive & evidence-based care for individuals affected by breast cancer.

09/18/2024

It has been an honour, alongside my esteemed colleagues, to contribute to this comprehensive review, which provides updated insights into the incidence of cancer-related lymphedema (CRL) across a diverse range of cancers. CRL can arise following treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy, resulting in significant physical and psychosocial challenges and a diminished quality of life. Accurately understanding CRL incidence is crucial for improving patient care and ensuring appropriate resource allocation.

Our review of literature from 2015 to 2023, covering 48 studies and 234,079 cancer patients, revealed a wide variation in CRL rates across cancer types: 2-74% in breast cancer, 8-45% in gynecological and urological cancers, 71-90% in head and neck cancers, and 2-29% in melanoma.

As cancer incidence rises and survival rates improve, the healthcare system must be prepared to meet the growing demand for CRL care.

For further details, I encourage you to explore this review on the evolving incidence of CRL.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12032-024-02441-2

Cancer-related lymphedema (CRL) lacks internationally accepted definition and diagnostic criteria. The accurate incidence of CRL is therefore a challenge and the condition is likely underreported. Patients treated for cancer can develop CRL as a result of surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiotherapy,....

09/18/2024

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to Physiotherapy Canada, a publication of the University of Toronto Press, on the recent systematic review titled "Benefits of Combined Upper Body Exercise and Compression Therapy for Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema: A Systematic Review."

Compression therapy remains a cornerstone of lymphedema management, and the authors who conducted this systematic review evaluated the evidence supporting the use of compression during upper body exercise. This approach is widely recommended by both researchers and clinicians to help patients manage their lymphedema effectively.

In my commentary, I emphasize the importance of offering practical, compassionate, and realistic recommendations. By doing so, researchers and clinicians can better support lymphedema patients in maintaining their exercise routines, ultimately improving their quality of life and long-term management of this chronic condition.

I encourage you to explore this review and commentary for further insights into the benefits of combining compression therapy with exercise in managing breast cancer-related lymphedema.

Reference: Ibrahim, M. (2024). Commentary on Al Onazi et al. Physiotherapy Canada, 76(3), 320-322.

https://www.utpjournals.press/doi/abs/10.3138/ptc-2022-0009-cc?journalCode=ptc

08/27/2024

Although the Olympics have concluded, the Para-Olympics are just about to begin! Athletes from around the globe will come together to showcase the power of inclusivity, celebrate human potential, and promote sportsmanship and equality, regardless of one’s impairment.

To all the Canadian para-swimmers I've had the privilege to classify—your strength and determination continue to inspire me, revealing the boundless capacity of the human body and the resilience of the human spirit. I wish you an unforgettable experience in Paris!

Let us always honor the diverse abilities that enrich the global athletic community and strive to create a world where everyone’s potential is recognized and celebrated!

07/09/2024

For those interested in learning more about Breast Cancer Rehabilitation, I'm delighted to announce that I will be offering a 2-day live online course hosted by Embodia!

For more detail on the course description and content, check out this website:

https://embodiaapp.com/webinars/905-breast-cancer-rehabilitation-marize-ibrahim

Looking forward to meeting everyone participating in the course!

Join Marize Ibrahim for this 2-day live online course to get the skills to provide comprehensive & evidence-based care for individuals affected by breast cancer.

05/21/2024

A great honour to have classified this wonderful and talented young swimmer!

Incredibly inspiring to many with Osteogenesis imperfecta....never let one's impairments stop you from achieving your goals!!



https://www.cbc.ca/bell-parathlete-marian/?fbclid=IwAR3JgY0K_6vYjKmBcpjdmL8-4QAAiWH2ShSJN_K7SiFIUQvQIjr0EXKf6eY_aem_ASHmiShLUx4gqS9t00xyZ8_QfIuO3JJujdgY0oWr03GE4y7Lkj6ZsAk-gv2T2kgO-5TSBDufjWI629kqsqcKjPl8

In 2015, Marian Barbu immigrated with his family to Canada to receive treatment for a rare disease. A gifted swimmer, the young Romanian quickly made a name for himself and tenaciously rose through the ranks on his way to the Paralympics.