[Inpatient rehabilitation of breast carcinoma patients]

Aim of a holistic in-patient rehabilitation program for female breast cancer patients is to strengthen the air overall health and help them to overcome the sometimes severe therapeutic side effects. In addition it is important for the patient to learn how to compensate with any residual physical effects and last but not least psychological support for coping with the malignant disease. Furthermore, a major target is, aside from improving the general state of health, the patient's reintegration into working life, if the disease is in a potentially curable state with a good chance for survival. If vocational reintegration fails due to the advanced state of the cancer or therapy induced damage or handicaps, which unfortunately applies to most of the patients, at least reintegration into private and social life should be achieved. To realize these objectives effective methods of treatment have been developed which can best be performed in specialized rehabilitation centres which are closely affiliated to cancer centres.