Breast Cancer Information
Recovery & Follow Up
Breast Cancer Recovery
Health care providers make every effort to help women with breast cancer return to their normal activities as soon as possible. Recovery from breast cancer is different for each woman, depending on the types of breast cancer treatment administered, whether the disease has spread, and other factors. Exercising the arm and shoulder after breast cancer surgery can help a woman regain motion and strength in these areas. It can also reduce pain and stiffness in her neck and back. As part of the breast cancer recovery process, special exercises may be recommended. These exercises can begin as soon as the doctor says the woman is ready, often within a day or so after surgery. Exercising begins slowly and gently and can even be done in bed. It is often done under the direction of a physical therapist. Over time, exercising can be more active. Regular exercise can then become part of a woman's normal routine. (Women who have a mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction need special exercises, which the health care provider will explain.)
Often, performing certain exercises and resting with the arm propped up on a pillow can prevent or reduce lymphedema after breast cancer surgery.
Breast Cancer Follow-up Care
Regular checkups are important after breast cancer treatment. Even when the cancer seems to have been completely removed or destroyed, the disease sometimes returns because undetected cancer cells remained somewhere in the body after the breast cancer treatment has been completed. The health care provider monitors recovery and checks for recurrence of cancer. Checkups help ensure that any changes in health are noted.
A woman who has had cancer in one breast should report any changes in the treated area or in the other breast to her doctor right away. A woman should also report if she has any physical problems, such as pain, loss of appetite or weight, changes in menstrual cycles, unusual vaginal bleeding, or blurred vision. She should also report headaches, dizziness, shortness of breath, coughing or hoarseness, backaches, or digestive problems that seem unusual or that don't go away. Some problems may arise months or years after treatment. They may suggest that the cancer has returned, but they can also be symptoms of many other health problems. It is important to share these concerns with a health care provider so problems can be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.
Breast cancer follow-up usually includes examination of the breasts, chest, neck, and underarm areas. Because a woman who has had breast cancer is at risk of getting cancer again, she should have mammograms of the preserved breast and/or opposite breast. However, a woman usually does not need a mammogram of the reconstructed breast. Sometimes the doctor may order other imaging procedures or lab tests.
