News
Central Health Physiotherapy Blog
Nottinghamshire Physiotherapists told not to touch patients
Myoscanner: Show me the evidence
Hypermobility
Physiotherapy and Breast Cancer
Beauty or Comfort?
Do We All Have Computer Neck?
Joint Hypermobility
Are You Sitting Comfortably?
The Truth Is Out There
Therapeutic Lies
Strictly Come Get Some Physiotherapy!
Moving home: What a pain in the back!
Metro Newspaper
Rugby Physio survivors guide
Should we be running barefoot?
Ten steps to prepare for a successful marathon
Running: is it best to Chi, Pose or Evolve?
Are you fit for the ski slopes?
My first hill - Climbing Catbells
World Badminton Championships
Welly-Wang at the CSP Physio London Summer Games!
Tennis Season hots up and Kinesio Tape is prominent again
The Olympics are fast approaching
Happy Running
Are you training for the London Marathon?
Winter Training... are we mad?
London is Cycling!
Boris Bikes
Great North Run
Le Tour de France
Aegon Foxhills
Tennis Commentary
How fit are you for skiing?
View by date:
Physiotherapy and Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is on of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the UK, despite being very rare in men. It accounts for 16% of all cancers diagnosed in the population and 31% of all female cancers. In 2008, over 48,000 women were diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK. The good news is that more women are being successfully treated than ever before.
The majority of women will require surgery and for those who need a mastectomy, many choose to go on to have breast reconstruction. Physiotherapy plays an important role in recovery after breast cancer surgery.
Some of the potential problems women may develop after breast cancer surgery or reconstruction surgery are reduced movement and strength in the arm, cording (inflammation of the lymph vessels), backache, pain, poor posture and reduced function. Physiotherapists are experts in addressing these issues and can provide advice and treatment to ensure optimal recovery and promote return to normal function.
Some women will also require radiotherapy after surgery and physiotherapy can help women regain the movement in the arm needed to be comfortable in the position this treatment is given in.
Recent research has also indicated that early physiotherapy and exercise can prevent development of post-op lymphoedema.
The Central Health Inpatient Physiotherapy team based at The Hospital of St John and St Elizabeth see all patients undergoing breast cancer surgery at the hospital but also offer an outpatient service to those who had surgery at other sites. If you would like any further information on this service or to arrange an appointment, please contact Lauren Kerr at lauren.kerr@hje.org.uk.
The following links may also provide you with useful information
www.thebreastunit.org.uk
www.breastcancercare.org.uk
Lauren Kerr, Lead Physiotherapist, Hospital of St John and St Elizabeth In-patients