Rehabilitation of the breast cancer patient

No program concerned with the management of the patient with breast cancer can today be considered complete without including a program for effective rehabilitation. Programs for rehabilitation must consider the physical, functional, vocational, and sociopsychological needs of the breast cancer patient. More effective rehabilitation can be achieved by careful attention to details in the preoperative period, during the operation, in the immediate postoperative period, and in long-term followup. Attention of these details may be helpful in preventing significant lymphedema. To accomplish effective rehabilitation of the breast cancer patient, a team effort is required, working in harmony usually under the direction of the surgeon. An important member of the rehabilitation team is the mastectomy volunteer, who visits the new mastectomy patient in the immediate postoperative period as part of the American Cancer Society's "Reach to Recovery" program. All members of the medical team must develop a relationship with the patient and the family, which enables support to be provided with an attitude of hope and encouragement.