Surgery is a common treatment for breast cancer, and exercise can help reduce side effects of surgery and help promote overall wellness. Some exercises can be done within days of surgery with a physician's approval, while others should be done once the drains or stitches are removed. Although you may not feel like exercising after surgery, light exercise can promote healing and help you resume participation in daily activities.
Significance
Breast cancer is a disease affecting every woman, whether directly or through someone she knows. According to the American Cancer Society, in 2010 in the United States, approximately 207,090 new diagnoses of invasive breast cancer will be made, as well as more than 54,000 diagnoses of carcinoma in situ, or non-invasive breast cancer. That same year, nearly 40,000 women will die from the disease.
Types
Types of surgery for breast cancer depend on your situation. The American Cancer Society lists several kinds of surgery, including a breast biopsy; lymph node biopsy and removal; lumpectomy, also called breast conservation surgery; mastectomy; and breast reconstruction. Women may have one or more of these surgeries in the course of their breast cancer treatment.
Function
According to the American Cancer Society, exercise helps lessen fatigue, reduces anxiety and depression, strengthens muscles, improves self-esteem, and may help reduce the risk of certain diseases and a recurrence. It also helps you maintain a healthy weight, further reducing the risk of disease. Lymphedema is a common side effect of breast cancer surgery or radiation, and involves the buildup of lymph fluid in the arm from lymph node dissection or radiation. Exercise can help encourage flow of lymph fluid, but caution needs to be taken to prevent lymphedema from occurring.
Right After Surgery
You can do some exercises three to seven days post-op, says the American Cancer Society. These exercises include lying down and raising the arm on the side the surgery was on above the heart for 45 minutes, two to three times daily. The American Cancer Society explains that this will decrease the swelling that accompanies surgery. While the arm is elevated, opening and closing the hand and bending and straightening the elbow can aid in reducing swelling and helping the lymph fluid flow through the arm.
Other Exercises
Staying physically active can help reduce the risk of developing lymphedema. Exercises appropriate after breast cancer surgery include light strength work with 2- or 3-pound weights, swimming and flexibility exercises, according to breastcancer.org. Exercises that involve repetitive motions of the arm and that are resistance-oriented may increase blood flow too much to the arms, especially the arm on the side of the surgery, and should be limited.
Warning
Before starting any kind of exercise program, especially with the arms, after breast cancer surgery, it is best to consult a physician. Some doctors may recommend working with a physical or occupational therapist to help guide correct movement and form an exercise plan. Talking to a physician about the intensity and duration of exercises can be helpful to ensure that no harm is done by exercising too much, too soon.
Member Comments