Article

Breast cancer survivors can experience multiple neuromuscular, musculoskeletal,
pain, and functional disorders as a result of their cancer and its treatment.
Common disorders include shoulder dysfunction, postmastectomy syndrome,
chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, axillary cording, lymphedema, and a
host of others. Cancer rehabilitation is a process that helps breast cancer and
other survivors to obtain and maintain the highest possible physical, social,
psychological, and vocational functioning within the limits created by cancer and
its treatments. There are good data supporting the safety and efficacy of cancer
rehabilitation in the treatment of many breast cancer-related impairments,
including shoulder dysfunction and lymphedema, among others. Despite the goals
and efficacy of cancer rehabilitation, there is a marked underuse of services.
The reasons for this phenomenon are many, but broadly result from a lack of
knowledge about cancer rehabilitation on the part of patients and referring
clinicians, limited access to services, and suboptimal adherence. This article
explores underutilization of cancer rehabilitation in breast cancer survivors and
provides an opportunity to consider ways to improve this gap in care.
CI - Copyright (c) 2017 American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS