Introduction
Breast cancer is one of the most common malignant tumours in women. With the development of medical technology, the treatment of breast cancer has improved significantly, but post-operative rehabilitation is essential for the recovery of patients ‘ health and the improvement of their quality of life. This paper will provide detailed information on all aspects of post-cancer rehabilitation care.
II. Post-operative injury care
1. Observation of wounds
– After the breast cancer operation, the patient needs to follow the wound closely. This includes an observation of whether the wound has seepage of blood, seepage of fluid, red skin around the wound, heat, etc. If abnormalities such as large blood seepages, odor, etc. are detected, the doctor should be contacted in a timely manner.
– In general, during the days following the operation, medical personnel periodically change the dressing of the wound to ensure that it is clean.
2. Keep the wound clean and dry
– The patient should avoid watering the wound after the operation and prevent infection. During bathing, the surgical parts can be avoided by ablution. If the wound has been healed, the shower may be performed with the permission of the doctor, but the surgery should not be forced.
III. Rehabilitation of upper limb function
Early recovery exercise
– 1 – 2 days after the operation:
– You can start handshakes, loose fists, 10 – 15, 3 – 4 groups per day. This simple action promotes hand circulation and prevents hand swelling.
– A stretching exercise of the wrists, slowly lifting the wrists up, then bending down and repeating 10-15 times in groups of 3 – 4 per day.
– 3-7 days after the operation:
– Increased stretching of elbows, where the patient can sit by the bedside, where the upper arm is naturally down, and then slowly lifts the small arm up and down, ranging from 10 to 15 times a day, in groups of 3 to 4 groups.
– Carrying out front- and back-to-back movement of the forearms, i.e., up and down the palms, 10 – 15 per group, 3 – 4 per day.
2. Medium-term rehabilitation exercise (1 – 2 weeks after surgery)
– The movement of the shoulder: the patient is standing and the body is tilting towards the side of the patient, which causes the side arm to fall down naturally, and then the shoulder is centered, with the arms moving around and around, gradually increasing in size, 10 – 15 minutes each, 2 – 3 times a day.
– Wall-crawling: the patient stands against the wall, creeping up with his side finger along the wall, raising the upper limbs as high as possible and then slowly returning to his position, 10 – 15 times a day, 3 – 4 groups. As the upper limb function is restored, the height of the wall can gradually increase.
3. Post-rehabilitation exercise (after 2 weeks)
– Slider gear exercise: installation of a simple slider unit in the room, with a rope through the wheel, with the patient holding his hands on both sides of the ropes, pulling the rope on his side arm, lifting the side arm up and running repeatedly, 10 – 15 times a day, 3 – 4 groups per day.
– Outreach campaigns: patients are placed on their sides, with their hands in their fists, stretching out their arms, slowly towards both sides, to a maximum of 5 – 10 seconds, then slowly down, 10 – 15 times a day, 3 – 4 groups.
Psychological rehabilitation
1. Emotional regulation
– Breast cancer patients often experience negative feelings of anxiety, depression and so on. Patients need to realize that these emotions are normal, but they also need to be actively regulated. It is possible to release emotions and share their feelings and concerns by speaking to their families and friends.
– Participation in breast cancer rehabilitation clubs or support groups is also a good option. In these groups, patients can interact with people with similar experiences, encourage and support each other and draw on the rehabilitation experience of others.
2. Self-awareness reconstruction
– Many patients are dissatisfied with their physical image after an operation, especially after mammography. Consideration may be given to wearing breast milk or carrying out breast rehabilitation operations.
– At the same time, patients are gradually accepting their own physical changes and rebuilding their self-confidence through self-assurance and psychological insinuation. For example, every day you tell yourself in the mirror that I am strong, I am recovering.
V. FOOD REHABIATING
Nutritional balance
– Protein intake: After the operation, the patient needs to repair the damaged tissue and therefore needs sufficient protein. Food with high-quality proteins such as skinny meat, fish, eggs, beans, etc. can be selected. For example, 100-150 grams of skinny meat or an egg per day.
– Carbohydrates: The choice of high-fibrous carbohydrates, such as wheat bread, rough rice, oats, etc., helps to maintain blood sugar stability and intestinal health. Half of the staple daily food can be coarse.
– Fatty: Adequate consumption of healthy fats, such as olive oil, fish oil, etc., to avoid oversaturated fats and trans-fats.
2. Eat more vegetables and fruits
– Vegetables and fruit are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. For example, vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, carrots and fruits such as oranges, strawberries and blueberries are good options. Vegetables should be guaranteed 400 – 500 grams per day and fruit 200 – 300 grams.
3. Special nutritional supplements
– Depending on the patient ‘ s circumstances, the doctor may recommend the addition of some nutrients. For example, vitamin B can be replenished to promote appetite for some people with poor appetite; calcium and vitamin D can be replenished for those at higher risk of osteoporosis.
VI. Lifestyle adjustments
Sleep management
– After-operative patients need to have adequate sleep. Regular sleep schedules are established, and every day every effort is made to get to bed and get up at the same time.
– Create a good sleep environment, keep the bedroom quiet, dark and cool. If the patient has sleep disorders, some relaxing techniques, such as deep breath, meditation, gradual muscle laxity, etc., or the use of some sleeping pills under the direction of a doctor, can be tried.
Moderate exercise
– In addition to the rehabilitation of upper limbs, the patient may carry out some moderate exercise in the whole body, such as walking, Tai Chi, yoga, etc.
– Walking is an easy way of moving, with patients starting from 10 to 15 minutes per day, gradually increasing to 30 to 45 minutes, 3 to 5 times per week.
3. Avoiding bad habits
– Prohibition of smoking and drinking: smoking and overdrinking affect the rehabilitation of patients and increase the risk of relapse. Patients must stop smoking and women must drink no more than 15 grams of alcohol per day (equivalent to one or two white wines or a beer bottle).
Periodic review
Review time and items
– Review every 3 – 4 months within 1 – 2 years of the operation, including medical examination, blood protocol, biochemical examination, tumour mark examination (e.g. CA15 – 3), breast ultrasound, chest X-ray, etc.
In addition to the above, the examination of the project may require mammograms, bone scans, etc., as appropriate.
– Review every year for more than five years after the operation, focusing on signs of recurrence and diversion.
Self-examination
– Patients should also undergo self-censorship in their daily lives. This includes a monthly breast self-examination to see if there has been a change in the appearance of the breast, such as a skin dent, a nipple spill, etc., while touching the breasts and armpits with a lump.
Conclusions
Post-occult breast cancer rehabilitation is a long-term and systematic process that involves a number of aspects, including wound care, upper limb functional rehabilitation, psychological rehabilitation, dietary adjustment, lifestyle change and periodic review. Patients need to cooperate actively, under the guidance of professionals such as doctors, nurses, rehabilitation therapists and, at the same time, with the full support and care of families and friends in order to help them better recover their health, improve their quality of life and fight disease.
