Breast Cancer Treatment Recovery and Restoration

Post-surgery guidelines

Recovery from treatment for breast cancer will be different for each woman, depending on the extent of the disease, the scope of treatment and other factors.

As with any healing process, it is normal to have some pain or discomfort after surgery. Side effects can include:

• Pain under the arm and occasionally, the incision site
• Numbness, tingling, pulling or tightening in the breast are and under the arm
• Phantom breast sensation following a total mastectomy - this is a feeling the breast even though the breast is no longer there

Call your physician immediately if you have severe pain or nausea, your IV site or incision is red, swollen or painful or if you feel feverish or chilled.

Exercising your arm and shoulder after surgery can help you regain motion and strength in these areas after an axillary lymph node dissection. It also can reduce pain and stiffness in your neck and back. Click here for recommended post-op surgery exercises.

Coping with lymphedema

Lymphedema is swelling that occurs when fluid drained by the lymph vessels does not flow out of the arm and hand on your affected side. It is a possible side effect with surgery which removes all of the lymph nodes. If lymphedema occurs, your physician may suggest massage and other avenues to deal with this problem. For example, some women with lymphedema wear an elastic sleeve or use an elastic cuff to improve lymph circulation. Your physician also may suggest other options, such as manual lymph drainage (massage), or use of a machine that gently compresses the arm. You also may be referred to a physical therapist.

Follow-up Care

Regular follow-up exams are important after breast cancer treatment. These checkups help monitor any changes in health. Follow-up exams usually include examination of the breasts, chest, neck, and underarm areas, as well as periodic mammograms. Sometimes your physician may order other imaging procedures or lab tests.

If you have had cancer in one breast, you must report any changes in that breast or in the other breast to your physician immediately. Because having cancer in one breast increases your risk of getting cancer in the other breast, monthly self-breast exams, clinical exams and mammograms are important to your follow-up care.

Also, if you have had breast cancer, you should tell your physician if you experience other physical problems, such as pain, loss of appetite or weight, changes in menstrual cycles, unusual vaginal bleeding or blurred vision. You also need to report headaches, dizziness, shortness of breath, coughing or hoarseness, backaches, or digestive problems that seem unusual or persistent.