Breast cancer patient Kimmie Jonceski was given a pamphlet and a brief consultation with a physiotherapist, who advised her to keep her arms and shoulders moving after her initial mastectomy surgery.
Key points:
- New research has found most breast cancer patients do not receive enough physiotherapy care after surgery
- Researcher Dr Deirdre McGhee is hoping to create a free online resource that guides women through a comprehensive recovery
- Untreated problems after breast surgery can lead to ongoing pain and reduced mobility
Even after the “massive operation” of breast reconstruction, she said there was no physiotherapy follow-up.
“Having a dance background, I’m generally stretching my whole body every week, so this is something that I am used to doing, but I know that this is not the case for everyone,” she said.
Once she got home after her first surgery, she diligently followed the exercises given to her, but even 18 months on she is still working hard to manage her flexibility.
“I still find that I often have to stretch an arm to keep it mobile and flexible, otherwise it freezes up and I’m back at square one,” she said.
“Sometimes this can also be quite painful.”
Published by the ABC to read more open the attached link https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-10-29/breast-cancer-physiotherapy-nsw-deirdre-mcghee-post-op/12806480