Breast Cancer Therapy at Baptist Health

We have an enormous amount of experience in providing rehabilitation services for patients who have undergone or are currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer. We also treat male breast cancer patients and patients who have undergone prophylactic breast cancer treatment.  Generally, breast cancer patients will undergo several phases in their treatment including interventions like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

 Rehabilitation should address the effects of each of these treatments on the body. We have a team of dedicated certified lymphedema therapists who are incredibly passionate about providing leading-edge oncology-specific treatment for patients post-mastectomy, post-lumpectomy, after reconstructive surgery and during (and following) both chemotherapy and radiation.

Our best results are achieved with early referral (2-3 weeks post-surgery or during active chemotherapy and/or radiation) but the rehabilitation we provide is also effective at addressing the long-term sequelae of cancer treatments even years after active treatment.

We treat the full range of conditions resulting from your treatment; in addition, our deep and progressive understanding of the lymphatic system during the recovery stages post-surgery and radiation will help enormously in reducing the risk of developing lymphedema and improving movement. A cornerstone of our practice is risk reduction with early intervention but we are also the foremost experts in managing the condition if it does develop.

Our goal is to help our patients live their lives as normally, as fully and as actively as possible both during cancer treatment and for years to come. All breast cancer patients can benefit from therapy but here are some questions to help you identify your own need for rehabilitation.

Do I need rehab? Ask yourself these questions:

• Do you feel tightness in your armpit and chest with your arms up over your head?
• Do you see or feel thin cord-like bands (Axillary Web Syndrome) in your armpit?
• Do you notice fluid collecting and/or thickening tissue in your incision area?
• Does your arm brush against swelling on the side of your chest area?
• Do you notice weakness in your affected shoulder or arm?
• Do you have achiness/heaviness or fatigue in your arm or side as your activity levels increase?
• Do you have tightness around your chest after surgery and/or receiving radiation therapy?
• Do you have any discomfort from expanders or implants after reconstructive surgery?
• Do you have treatment-related pain?
• Do you ever feel off-balance or dizzy?
• Do you experience tingling or numbness in your extremities?
• Are you feeling generally weak or is your fatigue disproportionate to the activity you are doing?