Superior physical therapy, including massage and shoulder exercises could help prevent and reduce one of the most common complications of surgery for breast cancer, according to a study published on bmj.com today hui.
Secondary lymphedema is an important chronic complication after surgery for breast cancer or radiotherapy. It is caused by damage to the lymphatic system during treatment, leading to fluid retention and swelling of the arm. Subsequent to 71% of women in the 12 months after surgery and can also cause disfigurement, anxiety, depression and emotional distress.
Currently, women with breast cancer have a 77% probability of surviving at least 10 years, effectively preventing and treating complications that can impair the functioning and affect quality of life after treatment are important .
Thus, a research team set out to Madrid to study the effectiveness of early physical therapy to reduce the risk of secondary lymphedema after surgery for breast cancer.
They identified 120 women who had undergone breast cancer surgery involves removal of lymph nodes between May 2005 and June 2007.
Sixty patients were assigned to the strategy of education and early physiotherapy (intervention group) and 60 to the strategy of education only (control group). Both programs have lasted three weeks and patients were followed for four weeks after surgery, and again at three, six and 12 months after surgery.
Physical therapy including manual lymphatic drainage, massage scar tissue and shoulder exercises by a physiotherapist. The strategy includes educational materials about the lymphatic system and advice on how to avoid injury and prevent infection.
