Breast cancer rehabilitation and reconditioning

Abstract

Breast Cancer (BC), a prominent oncological disease, has become an increasing concern for countless women across the globe. The rising incidences underscore the urgent need for a comprehensive post-treatment rehabilitation strategy to address the challenges posed by intensive treatments. This rehabilitation is not merely about physical recovery but requires a holistic lens, considering disability as an overarching loss of functional integrity. Embracing this perspective enables healthcare professionals to devise strategies that focus on the entirety of a patient's well-being. Central to this approach is the Individual Rehabilitation Project (IRP), a tailored program designed to elevate the post-treatment quality of life. It stresses the importance of early interventions, particularly after surgery, to mitigate potential complications and functional deficits. Physical activities, curated and executed under professional guidance, form a cornerstone of the rehabilitation process. Depending on each patient's specific condition and stage of recovery, a range of exercises is recommended. Beyond the immediate post-surgical phase, patients are introduced to adaptive physical endeavors like fencing and dragon boating. Such activities are not merely for physical recovery but also play a significant role in enhancing self-esteem, self-perception, and overall mental resilience. Once acute and post-acute care has been completed, and a clinical functional stability is reached, BC patients, now better defined as person with BC disability (PwBC). As the narrative unfolds, it becomes clear that BC rehabilitation is an intricate dance between physical recovery and psychological well-being, necessitating an individualized, patient-centric approach. Furthermore, this opinion paper highlights the urgency for rigorous research, especially randomized trials, to refine and validate the efficacy of these rehabilitation procedures, ensuring that patients not only survive but thrive post-treatment.

Keywords

• breast cancer
• rehabilitation
• quality of life
• adapted physical exercise
• adapted training exercise