.Exercise and Follow-up After a Mastectomy

Background: Breast cancer ranks highest in incidence and mortality among females and ranks second when both genders are combined. Lebanon has the second highest rate of breast cancer worldwide for the 35-39 age group and the highest in the 40-49 age group. Mastectomy often results in deceased shoulder and arm mobility, and decreased Quality of Life. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the effect of an educational program of therapeutic exercises on the quality of life and functional ability in women after a mastectomy Methods: Sixty women undergoing mastectomy were randomly assigned to an intervention and control group. The intervention group received extensive teaching pre-surgery education as well as training on therapeutic exercises. Follow up phone calls to the Intervention group were made to assure that the exercises were being done. Both groups were visited at home at four and eight to obtain the outcome variables. The Breast Cancer Patient Version was used to asses quality of life and the "Goniometer" was used to assess the range of motion of the affected shoulder.