Breast cancer affects one in every eight Australian women, and 40% of those diagnosed have a mastectomy as part of their treatment. In addition, half of the women in the mastectomy group will have extensive breast reconstruction surgery.
Physical recovery after breast cancer surgery, whether with or without reconstruction, is a rigorous rehabilitation procedure. While physiotherapists play an important role, those in private practice who advocate for pre-and post-operative self-care get the greatest potential result for patients. However, it is not without limits.
Professor Deirdre McGhee, a physiotherapist at Breast Research Australia, performed research that revealed many women were unaware that exercise pre-and post-operatively had a substantial effect on recovery.
As a consequence, Professor McGhee developed free online materials that include five videos, a podcast, and a webinar to help with safe exercises and instruction on the wound and drainage care, pain management, and acute post-operative care.
These materials may be used by physiotherapists, particularly those in rural and isolated regions with limited access to breast cancer-specific treatments, to enable clinically appropriate exercises and to encourage self-care after surgery.
Breast cancer surgery patients are frequent in the private clinical environment, according to physiotherapist Ronald Yip. Resources that offer information, increase awareness, and involve health professionals in the life-changing journey that is breast cancer recovery are thus critical – yet there are obstacles to self-care.
Recovery after breast reconstruction surgery may be a time-consuming, painful, and exhausting procedure.
Most of the time, I've discovered that patients do not recognise the significance of physical rehabilitation.
Mr. Yip explained that patients may be emotionally overloaded, and as a result, they may not have the extra time to do suitable exercises on a regular basis.
Fear of injuring oneself via exercise is another frequent obstacle to self-care for women who have had breast cancer surgery.
Patients may be hesitant or fearful of engaging in regular exercise because they believe it would harm their joints and bodies.
As a result, a gradual and supervised recommended exercise regimen is critical for these patients.
The primary advantages of a self-care resource for physiotherapists treating breast cancer patients are that it helps simplify treatment planning and helps women better comprehend post-therapy alternatives.
This resource is beneficial to physiotherapists because it raises knowledge of breast cancer physiotherapy management, particularly among physiotherapists working in community-based or private clinic settings.
As physiotherapists at a private practice, we are the initial point of contact.
This resource will aid in treatment and management planning, as well as point patients in the proper way for further community support.
Pre-operative preparations are also essential for women to provide the foundation for optimal recovery after surgery.
It is critical to prepare for reconstructive surgery by strengthening and preserving shoulder or upper trunk range of motion.
It usually takes six to twelve weeks to retrain muscular strength, and muscles and the body tend to tire quickly the following radiotherapy.
As a result, prior physical and mental workouts are critical to achieving better results.
Mr. Yip says that a preoperative exercise program developed by a physiotherapist (or another health expert) is essential to ensure that activities are specific and suitable for particular patients.
A good program includes recommended bilateral shoulder and upper trunk exercises done two to three times per week, as well as different strengthening exercises.
Gentle and progressive strengthening may generally be self-managed at home with TheraBand or small dumbbell weights.
Another essential goal of preoperative workouts is to decrease the chance of developing lymphoedema or fluid buildup around the mastectomy site.
Fluid buildup is another component that contributes to the restriction of upper-limb motions and mobility, which is prevalent in breast cancer patients.
Active upper limb motions or exercises may significantly reduce the likelihood of fluid formation around lymph nodes.
There are many obstacles to physical rehabilitation after breast cancer surgery, but typical limitations include restricted range of motion, weakness, and decreased feeling.
Post-operative women usually suffer restricted shoulder range of motion, potential arm weakness, and, at times, some changed or diminished sensation.
Physiotherapists aid in the removal of obstacles to healing by:
• Strengthening the shoulder and arm muscles
• Reducing stress at the incision site
• Managing scar tissue
• Desensitising the incision site
• Reducing nerve irritation to overcome decreased feeling.
Physical side effects of reconstructive surgery should be managed as soon as possible
Mr. Yip recommends that early initiation of an active assistance range of motion exercises, particularly for the shoulders and upper trunk, is critical in combating the occurrence and severity of physical side effects after breast cancer surgery.
Breast reconstruction operations are significant procedures that require the skills of physiotherapists to guarantee safe rehabilitation, but self-care tools are also essential for optimal recovery. Physiotherapists in private clinical practice may use free self-care tools to help their clients recover from breast cancer.
