If you've been diagnosed with Breast Cancer, and your treatment has included Lumpectomy and Radiation, chances are you may have experienced symptoms such as Breast Pain, Breast Swelling, Breast Tissue Thickening in the weeks, months or years following. I cannot express how common this problem is, and how often Medical Professionals will tell patients who report this issue "this is your new normal, you'll just have to learn to live with it". Many patients are frustrated and angry because they weren't informed about this side effect, and now they're being told there is nothing that can be done. Some women have even considered a mastectomy to remove the breast because of persistent pain.
Well I have news for you! For the large majority of patients - this problem is treatable. I'm not saying Breast Pain is completely resolved in every patient I treat, but for most people, we can either resolve the symptoms or get the symptoms to a stage where the Breast tissue is self-managed and tolerable. In this video I go through the Symptoms of Radiation Fibrosis Scarring - essentially the aftermath of Radiation treatment (Breast tissue thickening, tension, fluid retention, scarring / fibrosis).
I also present my 3 main Treatment Techniques to reduce Breast Pain after Radiation Fibrosis Scarring: 1. Breast Massage, 2. Mobiderm (product), and 3. Bra Prescription. It is really worth your while to attend at least a few sessions with a qualified Lymphoedema Physiotherapist or Lymphatic Therapist, who can perform Breast Massage on you, and more importantly - show you how to perform Breast Massage on yourself. As therapists we should all be working towards empowering our patients so they can SELF-manage and not have to rely on the Therapist to provide treatment for the long term. However, you can really make a big leap forward in your progress if you can be shown how to perform correct breast massage by a Lymphatic Therapist from the start.
Correct Breast Massage is vital to breaking up the fibrosis (scarring) of the breast tissue to reduce tension, pain and improve lymphatic flow throughout the breast tissue. For those interested, please see link below to a recent research article by the ALERT Program at Macquarie University on Breast Lymphatic Drainage Pathways after lymph node removal.
Mobiderm is a simple but brilliant product I use on a very regular basis to improve flexibility of the breast tissue. (Please see link below for Mobiderm). A well-prescribed bra is also very important to help resolve this issue. If possible find a lingerie store (see link below for Tracey G Lingerie & Prosthetics, Australia), that specializes in bras for women following Breast Cancer Treatment.
Mobiderm Link: mobiderm.com.au/collections/m...
Tracey G Lingerie & Prosthetics: www.traceyg.com/
Research Article - Breast Lymphatic Drainage Pathways: file:///C:/Users/User/Dropbox/BREAST%20CANCER%20&%20LYMPHOEDEMA/ARTICLES/Breast%20Lymphoedema%20Lymphatic%20Drainage%20Pathways%20Heydon-White%202020.pdf
Most importantly - let's spread the word on this issue! I cannot tell you how often I am treating women after Lumpectomy and Radiation for latent (delayed) Breast Symptoms (Pain, Tension, Swelling), and how often they have been told by Medical Professionals that this is the 'new normal'. I believe this is a very treatable condition in the large majority of women. I am now educating my patients who are about to commence or complete Radiation, that as soon as your burns have recovered and / or the skin is no longer too tender to touch, that Breast Massage should commence as a preventative treatment towards Radiation Fibrosis Scarring.
SO IF YOU ENJOY THIS CONTENT and would like to see more then please subscribe to my KZfaq channel which is completely free! Give it a big thumbs up and leave a comment - as I would love to hear from you and find out what Breast Cancer topics you would like to know more about.
I welcome you to ask questions, participate and join me as we explore the intricacies of Breast Cancer and help YOU return to your most optimal health following surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.
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