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Most women diagnosed with breast cancer are instantly overwhelmed, as they are entitled to be. They have many questions, like:

• How serious is this?
• What are my chances?
• Is there anything that I can do to change it?
• What caused this?
• What is the survival/mortality rate?
• Can the surgeon remove it?
• Has it spread?
• What is the treatment protocol?

And this is only the tip of the iceberg. Imagine the thoughts that would race through your mind if you were confronted with the knowledge that you had been diagnosed with a potentially life-threatening disease.

Knowledge through research

These women immediately start researching books, magazines, the internet and friends in search of:

• physicians
• treatments
• hospitals
• cutting edge technology
• cancer treatment centers
• side effects
• survival stories

Knowledge is power. The power to survive.

Meetings

Soon they meet with:

• a surgeon
• an oncologist for the radiation treatments
• another oncologist for the chemotherapy treatments
• and possibly another surgeon for reconstruction

…so that they may understand the best ways to treat this disease and ensure their highest chances of survival.

Rehabilitation may be overlooked

Due to advances in technology and research, the management of breast cancer has improved greatly over the years resulting in much higher survival rates. However, even with successful surgery and treatment, survivors are often left with reduced strength and mobility. Common problems are:

• adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder)
• back problems
• postural alignment problems

Because of this, everyday tasks can become difficult.

When a person can�t perform simple tasks that they are used to performing, they can start to feel inadequate. This is detrimental to their emotional well-being and state of mind. Certainly, they�re grateful to have survived surgery and treatment, but they think that their incapacity is the price that they had to pay in order to survive.

This should not be the case. Breast cancer survivors are not necessarily destined to be limited.

All women who have undergone breast cancer treatment and feel that they have become physically hindered as a result, should consult with a physical or occupational therapist trained in the particular needs of breast cancer survivors. These specialists may be able to develop a program, catered to the individual, for the purpose of regaining lost strength, mobility and function.

More research

Search for breast cancer rehabilitation on the internet, in books and in magazines. Here are a few names to consider:

• Trish Muse
• Naomi Aaronson
• Linda T. Miller
• Stephanie Davies

Don�t accept a lifetime of limitations and restrictions. Talk with someone who can safely and effectively give you a rehabilitation program to get you back to the point where you can live your life to the fullest and have a satisfying life after breast cancer.