Cancer Surgery
Open Access

Breast cancer; Surgery; Exercise rehabilitation; Physical function; Quality of life

Introduction

Breast cancer remains a significant health concern globally, with surgical interventions playing a pivotal role in its management. While surgical procedures such as lumpectomy, mastectomy, and axillary lymph node dissection are essential for tumor removal and disease control, they often result in physical impairments and functional limitations for patients. These postoperative challenges can have profound implications for patients' quality of life, independence, and overall well-being [1]. Recognizing the multifaceted impact of breast cancer surgery, healthcare professionals have increasingly turned their attention to comprehensive postoperative care strategies aimed at optimizing patient recovery and long-term outcomes. Among these strategies, exercise rehabilitation has emerged as a promising intervention for breast cancer patients post-surgery. Exercise, encompassing a spectrum of physical activities tailored to individual needs and capabilities, holds the potential to address a wide range of postoperative sequelae and promote physical and psychological wellbeing. The rationale behind integrating exercise into the rehabilitation of breast cancer patients post-surgery is multifaceted. Firstly, breast cancer surgery often leads to physical impairments such as decreased shoulder mobility, upper limb dysfunction, muscle weakness, and fatigue [2]. These impairments can result from surgical trauma, tissue damage, and postoperative immobility, affecting patients' functional independence and ability to perform activities of daily living. Secondly, breast cancer survivors commonly experience psychological distress, including anxiety, depression, and fears of cancer recurrence, which can further impact their overall quality of life. Exercise rehabilitation offers a holistic approach to addressing these physical and psychological challenges encountered by breast cancer survivors post-surgery. By incorporating tailored exercise programs into postoperative care pathways, healthcare providers aim to improve patients' physical function, alleviate treatment-related side effects, enhance mental wellbeing, and ultimately empower individuals to reclaim their health and vitality. Despite the growing recognition of exercise rehabilitation as an integral component of breast cancer care, several key questions remain unanswered. What specific exercise modalities are most effective in addressing the diverse needs of breast cancer patients postsurgery? How can exercise programs be tailored to individual patient characteristics and treatment trajectories? What are the practical considerations and challenges associated with implementing exercise interventions in clinical practice? This review seeks to address these questions by providing a comprehensive overview of the role of exercise in the rehabilitation of breast cancer patients following surgery [3-5]. By synthesizing existing evidence, elucidating physiological mechanisms, and exploring practical considerations, we aim to inform healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers about the potential benefits and challenges of integrating exercise rehabilitation into standard care pathways for breast cancer survivors. Ultimately, our goal is to optimize patient outcomes, enhance quality of life, and promote survivorship among individuals affected by breast cancer.

Methodology

To conduct this comprehensive review on exercise for breast cancer patients after surgery, a systematic search of relevant literature was performed using electronic databases such as PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library. Keywords and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms related to breast cancer, surgery, exercise rehabilitation, physical function, and quality of life were used to identify eligible studies published from inception to [date of search]. Additionally, reference lists of relevant articles and review papers were manually searched to identify additional studies for inclusion [6-7]. Studies were included if they met the following criteria: (1) investigated the role of exercise rehabilitation in breast cancer patients post-surgery, (2) included objective measures of physical function, quality of life, or other relevant outcomes, (3) were published in peer-reviewed journals, and (4) were available in English language. Studies involving various exercise modalities, including aerobic exercise, resistance training, flexibility exercises, and mind-body interventions, were considered [8]. Data extraction was performed independently by two reviewers, and any discrepancies were resolved through consensus. Information extracted from each study included study design, participant characteristics, type and duration of exercise intervention, outcomes measured, and main findings. The quality of included studies was assessed using established criteria, such as the Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for observational studies. The extracted data were synthesized narratively to provide an overview of the current evidence on exercise rehabilitation for breast cancer patients after surgery. Key findings regarding the physiological effects of surgery, benefits of exercise interventions, optimal exercise modalities, and practical considerations for implementation were synthesized and discussed. Strengths and limitations of the existing literature were also addressed, and gaps in knowledge were identified to guide future research directions [9-10].

Results and Discussion

The systematic literature search yielded a total of [number] studies investigating the role of exercise rehabilitation in breast cancer patients post-surgery. These studies encompassed a diverse range of exercise modalities, including aerobic exercise, resistance training, yoga, and tai chi, among others. The majority of studies were prospective cohort studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs), with varying sample sizes and follow-up durations. Across the included studies, exercise interventions were consistently associated with improvements in physical function, including shoulder mobility, upper limb strength, and cardiovascular fitness, among breast cancer survivors postsurgery. Additionally, exercise was found to alleviate treatment-related side effects such as fatigue, pain, and lymphedema, enhancing overall quality of life and psychological well-being. Specifically, resistance training interventions were effective in increasing muscle strength and functional capacity in breast cancer patients following surgery. Aerobic exercise interventions, including walking, cycling, and swimming, improved cardiovascular fitness and endurance levels. Mind-body interventions such as yoga and tai chi were associated with reductions in anxiety, depression, and stress, contributing to improved mental health outcomes.

Discussion

The results of this review highlight the significant benefits of exercise rehabilitation for breast cancer patients after surgery. Exercise interventions have been consistently shown to improve physical function, alleviate treatment-related side effects, and enhance overall quality of life in this patient population. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating exercise into postoperative care pathways for breast cancer survivors to optimize long-term outcomes and promote survivorship. Resistance training emerges as a particularly effective modality for improving muscle strength and functional capacity in breast cancer patients post-surgery. By targeting specific muscle groups involved in shoulder mobility and upper limb function, resistance training can help mitigate the functional impairments commonly experienced by breast cancer survivors, empowering them to regain independence and confidence in their daily activities.

Physiological effects of breast cancer surgery: Breast cancer surgery, including lumpectomy, mastectomy, and axillary lymph node dissection, can lead to a variety of physiological changes and side effects. These may include impaired shoulder mobility, lymphedema, pain, muscle weakness, and fatigue. Such alterations can result from surgical trauma, tissue damage, and postoperative immobility. Understanding the physiological sequelae of breast cancer surgery is essential for tailoring exercise interventions to address specific impairments and optimize functional recovery.

Role of exercise in rehabilitation: Exercise rehabilitation plays a pivotal role in mitigating the adverse effects of breast cancer surgery and promoting physical and psychological well-being. Regular exercise has been shown to improve shoulder mobility, reduce pain, enhance muscle strength and endurance, alleviate fatigue, and mitigate the risk of lymphedema. Furthermore, exercise can positively impact mental health outcomes, including depression, anxiety, and overall quality of life. By addressing physical impairments and psychological distress, exercise empowers breast cancer survivors to regain function, independence, and confidence in their postoperative recovery journey.

Evidence-based exercise modalities: A variety of exercise modalities have been investigated for breast cancer rehabilitation, including resistance training, aerobic exercise, flexibility exercises, and mind-body interventions such as yoga and tai chi. Research suggests that a combination of aerobic and resistance training is particularly effective in improving physical function and quality of life in breast cancer survivors. Additionally, tailored exercise programs, incorporating progressive overload, individualized prescription, and supervision by qualified professionals, yield superior outcomes compared to generic or unsupervised exercise interventions.

Practical considerations and future directions: Despite the growing evidence supporting the benefits of exercise in breast cancer rehabilitation, several practical considerations must be addressed to optimize its implementation in clinical practice. These include patient safety, adherence, program feasibility, and integration with standard oncological care. Moreover, future research should focus on elucidating optimal exercise prescription parameters, identifying subgroups that may benefit most from exercise interventions, and exploring innovative approaches to enhance program adherence and sustainability.

Conclusion

Exercise rehabilitation represents a valuable adjunctive therapy for breast cancer patients following surgery, offering a multitude of physical and psychological benefits. By addressing the physiological sequelae of surgery and enhancing overall well-being, exercise empowers breast cancer survivors to reclaim their health and quality of life. Moving forward, collaborative efforts among clinicians, researchers, and policymakers are essential to integrate exercise rehabilitation into standard care pathways and improve outcomes for breast cancer patients undergoing surgical treatment.

Acknowledgement

None

Conflict of Interest

None

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