Breast cancer rehabilitation

The Breast Surgery Rehabilitation Group (BSRG), established initially in 1970, assists patients at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) with psychical and emotional recovery from breast cancer surgery and promotes return to preoperative activities. The team includes a physical therapist, social worker, and nurse. Attendance at sessions is prescribed by all physicians on the Breast Service. Problems such as threat to life by cancer and emotional impact of breast loss are addressed, in addition to aid in actual physical recovery from surgery with exercise instruction and interaction with other women in the group who have a similar diagnosis. The information and support provided in this way help the patient to achieve a sense of control in a situation that threatens their emotional and physical world.