Rehabilitation
Medical follow-up
Other potential complications
Following treatment for breast cancer, women are encouraged to return to their normal lifestyles as soon as possible. After surgery, some women may experience
swelling in the arm caused by excess lymph fluid in the tissue (lymphedema). To help prevent or reduce this symptom, your doctor may recommend certain exercises, elevating the
arm, or wearing an elastic sleeve to help improve lymph circulation. Regular exercise after breast surgery will improve motion and strength in the arm and shoulder.
A woman who has had a total mastectomy may choose to wear a breast form (prosthesis) or undergo breast reconstruction.
Reconstructive surgery may be done at the time of the mastectomy or at a later time.
Regular checkups with your healthcare provider and mammograms are crucial after breast cancer treatment. These examinations will check the breasts, chest, neck, and underarm
areas. Be sure to report any changes in the treated breast or in the other breast to your healthcare provider. In addition, you should tell your healthcare provider about any
other problems such as pain, blurred vision, changes in menstrual cycle, unusual vaginal bleeding, loss of appetite, or loss of weight.
Women who have had breast cancer in one breast may have an increased risk for other complications, including cancer in the other breast. Other factors, including obesity or advanced
age, may also increase the risk of additional health problems, including cardiovascular disease, blood clots, and colorectal or endometrial cancer.
Body mass index (BMI) measurements are useful tools to determine if you are at a healthy weight or overweight.
