Breast Cancer and Physical Therapy
October is breast cancer awareness month! As science has continued to advance many more treatment options are available for breast cancer. As a result survival rates are continuing to improve. Physical therapy plays a key role in restoring movement, strength and function to the trunk and upper extremity affected by breast cancer.
Breast Cancer and PT
According to the American Cancer Society, 281,550 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in US women in 2021. Incident rates have increased by 0.5% annually. At this time, there are 3.8 breast cancer survivors in the US.
Benefits of Exercise and Breast Cancer
Research published by Cannioto et al. in 2020 has found that women who did 2.5 hours of moderate-intensity exercise per week, before and after being diagnosed with breast cancer, had a 55% lower risk of cancer recurrence and a 68% lower risk of dying compared with women who did not meet the minimum standard of exercise. Even women who started exercising only after breast cancer treatment was completed got benefits from the physical activity: they had a 46% lower risk of cancer recurrence and a 43% lower risk of dying compared with women who did not meet the minimum standard of exercise. Exercise can also improve mental health, energy, and sleep patterns, which can ultimately improve quality of life.
How Can Physical Therapy Help?
Physical therapy can be beneficial for those who are currently undergoing treatments or post-surgery. Physical therapy can address issues such as fatigue, deconditioning, or lymphedema, not to mention improve range of motion, flexibility, and strength. Physical therapy sessions will typically include gentle stretching and strengthening exercises to the patient’s tolerance. Post-surgery, examination and treatment of the scar tissue is important to prevent adhesions that may interfere with proper range of motion and the ability to perform functional activities. Lymph drainage therapy and compression bandaging will be done to reduce swelling of the arm or chest if necessary. Personal training sessions are available for those who are ready to return to a structured exercise program.
