Breast and axillary
To help prepare and recover after your breast surgery, please watch our educational video below. It contains very useful advice on regaining your shoulder range of movement and advice on lymphodema awareness. This educational video is only relevant if you are having a sentinel lymph node biopsy and/ or a mastectomy, and/ or an axillary clearance. If you do not have a sentinel lymph node biopsy, a mastectomy, or an axillary clearance, it is not relevant for you.
Physiotherapy's role in cancer management
Physiotherapy plays a key role in the holistic management of patients throughout their cancer journey. Within The Bon Secours Hospital, our Oncology Physiotherapist, Mairead Daly, works closely with the Oncology team, including Consultant Oncologists, Occupational Therapists, Specialised Nursing Staff and the Palliative Care Team to ensure a multi-disciplinary team approach.
Within the context of cancer, the primary goal of rehabilitation is to assist the patient in achieving maximum physical and psychological functioning within the limits imposed by disease or treatment.
How does physiotherapy help people with cancer?
Physiotherapy interventions for people with cancer will include exercise prescription, respiratory techniques, neurological rehabilitation, pain control techniques, lymphoedema management, education of patients and carers, and acupuncture for the management of hot flushes.
Why is exercise so important?
There is growing evidence to show the importance of taking part in moderate levels of exercise through a cancer diagnosis and treatment. People are assessed on diagnosis and guided through an individualised exercise programme in order to minimise the side effects of treatment. This may include your personalised home exercise programme, using an exercise diary, or one-to-one physiotherapy sessions.
For people who have been diagnosed with cancer, a Cancer Survivorship Programme, Strong, is offered by our multi-disciplinary team and is available in the Bons Secours Hospital.
Physiotherapy is important after cancer-related breast surgery and reconstruction. The physiotherapy team works closely with the breast care nurse and surgeons at The Bon Secours Hospital. They will prescribe specific exercises to do post-surgery in order to maximise recovery and provide advice to prevent complications.
How can physiotherapy assist with breathlessness?
Breathlessness can be a devastating and common symptom of advanced cancer. This symptom can cause significant distress to patients, carers and families. Physiotherapists can assist in the non-pharmacological management of breathlessness. These techniques include using a hand-held fan, relaxation techniques, positioning, advice regarding pacing and anxiety management tools such as mindfulness.
The Physiotherapist plays a vital role in the care of patients who are close to end of life. This involves working with their family members, carers, and community team, as well as providing equipment and training to enable the patient to maintain as much function as possible and return home if appropriate.
Overall, Physiotherapy treatment focuses on maximising quality of life and control of illness-associated symptoms.
