Breast Cancer Rehabilitation

Breast cancer is a type of cancerous tumour originating in the breast of an individual. It can develop in different areas of the breast (the ducts, the lobules, or the tissue in between) and later spread to different parts of the body if invasive.

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women in India. Although male breast cancer is also a possibility, it occurs less frequently and as a result, it can lead to poorer outcomes due to late diagnosis.

The Breast Cancer Rehabilitation Program is uniquely designed to assist patients recovering from breast surgery and follow up radiation treatment. We understand the importance of taking the time to personalize each physiotherapy treatment plan, which helps patients return to the same functional level they had prior to surgery.

 

During each patient’s initial visit, our therapist performs an assessment for Breast Cancer patients:

• Pain
• Surgical site tightness
• Stiffness
• Early signs of lymphedema
• A range of motion, and
• Changes in functional activity level

 

Once the assessment is completed, the therapist develops a customized exercise and education program designed to meet the individual needs of each patient. In addition, physical therapy is available on an ongoing basis for patients with more involved shoulder dysfunction or lymphedema.

With the goal of maximizing a patient’s functional level and preventing any limiting disabilities, our Program’s protocol includes:

Pre-operative

• Education
• Lymphedema assessment
• Shoulder function assessment

Post-operative

• Education
• Exercises for cancer-related fatigue and specific shoulder tightness
• Surgical site message
• On-going lymphedema assessment