Cancer and its treatment can have a profound negative effect on a patient’s quality of life, but there is significant evidence to show that rehabilitation can significantly improve functional status. Recent guidance from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence on Improving Supportive and Palliative Care Services for Adults with Cancer emphasises the need for assessment of patients’ rehabilitation needs. This article reviews the literature to consider the importance of rehabilitation on quality of life and the need for systematic referral of patients to these services.