Seroma Prevention After Breast Cancer Surgery
This morning I wrote a handout about how to prevent seromas after breast cancer surgery ( free handout for medical practitioners here). Why is this important? Because seromas impede post-op healing and physical function & ain’t nobody got time for that! Understanding Seroma and Its Consequences Potential consequences of seroma formation include: slowed healing of the incision with reduced […]
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction & Breast Cancer: Pelvic Health Advocacy
Holistic treatment isn’t just about utilizing alternative medicine and techniques, I feel it is more about comprehensively assessing and creating a complete plan of care that addresses all the client’s concerns and functional limitations. Breast cancer doesn’t just affect the breasts, but the entire person including pelvic health. Over 3 million women have a history […]
Can Breast Cancer Rehab Principles Be Applied to Top Surgery?
Disclaimer: Below is a case report of top surgery (food for thought) and should not be considered medical advice. Post-surgical considerations were individualized for the patient and an explanation of the rationale for interventions is not complete. One thing that I love about comprehensive breast cancer care is how transferrable many treatment principles and skills are […]
Shoulder Function After Latissimus Dorsi Reconstruction
As an educator in breast cancer rehabilitation, it’s my job to scour the research. While reading articles on reconstruction after breast cancer, I was surprised to see plastic surgeons giving minimal consequence to shoulder function after resection of the latissimus dorsi muscle. This left me in a quandary, “Really? Harvesting a portion of the broadest […]
Is Breast Cancer Rehab Right for Your Practice?
1.) You love women’s health. 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. If you are a pelvic health practitioner focusing on people who have ovaries, many in your target market are looking for a therapist who understands breast cancer rehab. Pelvic health therapists are a good fit for this […]
3 Ways Serratus Anterior is Affected by Breast Cancer Treatment
Research has shown that 21% of breast cancer patient experience shoulder dysfunction (classified as ‘poor’ on the DASH outcome measure) 6 weeks after surgery, and 25.6% 6 years later (Schmitz et al, 2012). However, shoulder dysfunction drops to just 4% when early rehabilitation is implemented! (Springer et al, 2010). Serratus anterior dysfunction is just one of many reasons for shoulder […]
Post-Surgery Bra Selection: A Guide for Breast Cancer Survivors
1. Why is understanding breast structure and motion important? Despite limited scientific literature documenting breast anatomical structure, understanding the structure and motion of the female breast is a necessary thing to help us better treat and manage breast applications. This includes designing effective bras that provide suitable support and comfort, particularly for people recovering from breast […]
The Power of Rehabilitation to Improve Breast Cancer Outcomes
The benefits of breast cancer rehabilitation are vast from decreasing treatment side effects, to improving physical and mental health & decreasing recurrence. Don’t believe me? I’ve got the evidence to prove it… and what I share with you here is just scratching the surface. 😉 Reducing Side Effects Lymphedema The reported incidence rate of breast cancer-related lymphedema […]