Download The Cancer Institute Of New Jersey At Cooper

The Cancer Institute
Of New Jersey At Cooper
Restoring Function And Controlling Pain Through
The Post-Operative Breast Surgery Program
Carol Stratton, MSPT, ATC, teaches patient Diane Hatoff functional exercises to
stretch and strengthen her hand.
M
ost women with breast cancer have some type of surgery. Having a mastectomy, or a lumpectomy with radiation therapy, can cause physical problems
such as pain, loss of range of motion, decreased mobility, and scar adhesion,
as well as fatigue and an increased risk of lymphedema [arm swelling]. The PostOperative Breast Surgery Program at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey at Cooper
can help women who’ve had surgery for breast cancer, with or without radiation therapy, feel and function better.
The Post-Operative Breast Surgery Program
This comprehensive program helps women who have had a
mastectomy, or a lumpectomy with radiation therapy:
• Increase mobility
• Decrease pain
• Restore normal function
• Restore strength
• Increase aerobic capacity and endurance
• Improve skin and scar mobility
• Lower the risk for lymphedema (arm swelling)
[For More Information, call 1-800-8-COOPER. Adv.]
More on Page 6
The Cancer Institute
Of New Jersey At Cooper
From the Cover
“Post-operative breast cancer surgery
rehabilitation is a key and critical component in the overall treatment of breast
cancer patients. The goal of rehabilitation is simple: to return the patient to
her normal active lifestyle,” said Carol
Stratton, MSPT, ATC, Director of
Rehabilitation Services at The Cancer
Institute of New Jersey at Cooper. “Our
female physical therapists are experienced in working with women who
have breast cancer and are sensitive to
their needs.”
The Post-Operative Breast Surgery
Program, part of Cooper’s Cancer Care
Rehabilitation Services, is designed to
increase mobility, decrease pain, restore
normal function, restore strength,
increase aerobic capacity and
endurance, improve scar and skin
mobility, and lower the risk for lymphedema. Stratton and two other physical therapists—Christine Mease, PT,
and Dale McPeak, PTA—work one-onone with breast cancer patients to develop a rehabilitation program tailored to
each patient’s medical situation,
lifestyle, and goals. The program
includes hands-on manual therapy, a
structured exercise program, education
on preventing lymphedema [arm
swelling], and instruction in a home
exercise and self-care program.
Women who have had surgery that
includes removal of axillary [armpit]
lymph nodes or radiation therapy for
breast cancer may be at risk for lymphedema, a chronic, lifelong condition.
The surgical removal of axillary lymph
nodes and/or radiation therapy in the
axillary region can adversely affect the
flow of lymphatic fluid in the arm and
breast area, causing abnormal accumulation of this protein-rich fluid in the
arm. The excess fluid builds up, causing
swelling called lymphedema. The best
way to manage lymphedema is to prevent it. Cooper’s physical therapists
teach patients how to recognize the
signs of lymphedema and ways to
reduce their risk for developing it.
A typical post-operative breast surgery rehabilitation program is 12 sessions, 2 or 3 times a week. “Women can
start as early as two or three weeks after
surgery, upon their doctor’s approval.
They can participate in the rehabilitation program during other cancer treatment, or after they’ve completed treatment,” said Stratton. Physical therapists
work with each patient to develop a
home exercise program so they can continue their recovery after completing the
on-site
rehabilitation program.
Most
types of
insurance
cover cancer rehabilitation
services.
The PostOperative
Breast
Surgery
Program is
Carol Stratton, MSPT,
available at
three con- ATC, performs hands-on
manual therapy to stretch
venient
Diane Hatoff’s shoulder.
locations:
Voorhees,
Haddonfield, and Camden.
About The Cancer Institute of New
Jersey at Cooper
The Cancer Institute of New Jersey at
Cooper is part of The Cancer Institute
of New Jersey, a National Cancer
Institute [NCI]-designated
Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Comprehensive Cancer Centers are
leaders in cancer treatment, research,
and education. The Cancer Institute of
New Jersey at Cooper is also the only
cancer program in South Jersey designated by the American College of
Surgeons as a Teaching Hospital Cancer
Program.
Within The Cancer Institute of New
Jersey at Cooper, teams of doctors—
medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and surgeons—work together to
provide the best possible care for cancer
patients. The Cancer Institute of New
Jersey at Cooper has seven specialized
centers: breast cancer, gastrointestinal
cancer, genitourinary cancer, gynecologic cancer, leukemia/lymphoma, lung
cancer, and neuro-oncology [brain
tumors].
To schedule an appointment with a
Cooper physician, call 1-800-8COOPER. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, 8:30
a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to answer questions
about available medical services,
physicians, and community health
programs. [Adv.]
WE’RE COMMITTED TO SERIOUS MEDICINE
AND CUSTOMER SERVICE
George E. Norcross, III, Acting Chairman
Christopher T. Olivia, M.D., President
and Chief Executive Officer.