Topic: Websites for post-mastectomy exercises

Hi, all--

I didn't get very much information from my hospital about stretching exercises when I was recovering from my mastectomy + SNB, so I looked for some on-line.  There are some pretty good websites showing exercises that are useful for regaining strength and range-of-motion on the affected side.  I thought I would list some of those sites here.

Before you do any of these exercises, be sure to get your doctor's OK.  Sometimes if you start doing rigorous physical activity too soon, you can develop problems like seromas, bleeding, and perhaps even lymphedema.  So, get an OK first. If you get approval from your doc, you might try some of these:

American Cancer Society: 

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_6x_Exercises_After_Breast_Surgery.asp

Others:

http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/docs/bcc_exercises06_web_0.pdf

http://www.cancersupportivecare.com/breastexercise.html

http://www.stayingabreast.com/site/browse/exercise.htm

http://www.aboutbreasthealth.com/patientedu.aspx

http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/PPI/TypesofCancer/Breast/RehabExercises/AdvancedExercises.htm

BCO has a web page that discusses some research about the benefit of "professional" physical therapy versus just getting a printed handout from the hospital:

http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/new_research/20070914.jsp

If you find any other sources, or have any other suggestions, please post them!

otter