Physical Therapy in Women After Mastectomy

Abstract

Aim: Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide, with breast cancer being the most commonly occurring cancer in women. In Poland and in most of the other European countries, breast cancer constitutes 21% of all cancer cases. The aetiology of breast cancer has not yet been fully determined. Early detection offers a better chance of cure. Materials and Methods: The study group consisted of 23 female patients from the breast cancer support group at the Specialist Hospital in Radom. The patients underwent rehabilitation. The study used a research tool in the form of a survey developed by the authors, which helped collect sociodemographic and health data. The data were statistically analysed and the presence of statistically significant differences was checked with a chi-squared test. The results were presented as a proportion (%) of the study group. Results: The results of the study show that rehabilitation had a significant impact on the quality of life. Study patients described the physical therapy they received during and after hospitalisation as excellent. Conclusions: Breast cancer patients should undergo physical therapy and rehabilitation both before and after surgery.