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Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation is a very
important part of breast cancer treatment. The health care
team makes every effort to help women return to their normal
activities as soon as possible. Recovery will be different for
each woman, depending on the extent of the disease, the type
of treatment, and other factors.
Exercising after surgery
can help a woman regain motion and strength in her arm and
shoulder. It can also reduce pain and stiffness in her neck
and back. Carefully planned exercises should be started as
soon as the doctor says the woman is ready, often within a day
or so after surgery. Exercising begins slowly and gently and
can even be done in bed. Gradually, exercising can be more
active, and regular exercise becomes part of a woman's normal
routine. (Women who have a mastectomy and immediate breast
reconstruction need special exercises, which the doctor or
nurse will explain.)
Often, lymphedema after
surgery can be prevented or reduced with certain exercises and
by resting with the arm propped up on a pillow. If lymphedema
occurs, the doctor may suggest exercises and other ways to
deal with this problem. For example, some women with
lymphedema wear an elastic sleeve or use an elastic cuff to
improve lymph circulation. The doctor also may suggest other
approaches, such as medication, manual lymph drainage
(massage), or use of a machine that compresses the arm. The
woman may be referred to a physical therapist or another
specialist.
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