Recovery after breast cancer surgery is a long, hard and sometimes lonely process. Often, returning to the daily activities you did before the disease is difficult.
For this reason, Parc Taulí takes a comprehensive approach to accompany patients throughout the process because physical recovery is as important as emotional recovery.
During the recovery process, sometimes complications such as lymphedema appear - edema generated by lack of drainage and accumulation of fluid. This disorder can appear due to difficulty in drainage secondary to surgery and axillary radiotherapy, among other causes. From the oncology service, people at risk of developing this pathology are referred to the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation service.
In this service, rehabilitation doctors and a team of physiotherapists monitor and treat, if necessary, this disorder. This hospital service also offers alternative therapies to improve the physical condition and emotional well-being of patients, such as: Nordic walking and/or therapeutic yoga. “This recreational activity is very beneficial, because there is a part of physical exercise and another of relationships and sharing experiences with other patients.”, explains the director of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation service, Fernanda Caballero.
Nordic Walking
Since 2017, Parc Taulí has offered this alternative therapy to patients who have suffered from breast cancer, although other oncology patients can also participate.
The activity takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12-14pm with groups of about 8 people and for 8-10 sessions, depending on the weather. “It is a fully adapted activity based on awareness and teaching of technique. We do a preliminary assessment and gradually increase the difficulty, according to the profile of the group. But, normally, in the end we do about 6 or 8 kilometers”, explains Albert Tenorio, physiotherapist and head of Nordic walking.
Since its launch, more than 20 editions have been held and there are between 2 and 3 groups per year.
Therapeutic yoga
This therapeutic activity was introduced at the end of 2023 and the acceptance by the patients was unanimous, from the very beginning. This group therapy is also held on Tuesdays and Thursdays and between 5 and 8 patients participate for 8-10 sessions. “We introduce them to yoga, introducing breathing and meditation techniques that help them relax and manage the anxiety and stress caused by having had cancer.”, points out Montse González, physiotherapist and head of yoga.
The professional adapts the activity to the profile of the patients who participate, modifying the movements on the floor or in the chairs or their intensity.
Both Albert and Montse highlight the good acceptance of these two alternative therapies because “helps them to reintegrate into social life and share fears, doubts, frustrations with people who are in the same situation as them", they say.
Breast cancer
Parc Taulí treats around 2.500 breast cancer patients annually, of which 330 are new cases each year.
Although breast cancer survival has increased in recent years to 82%, it is important to continue research to increase this percentage and achieve more effective and less toxic treatments, as well as more personalized treatments for each patient.
Professionals remind us that it is very important to participate in breast cancer screenings to detect the disease earlier and maintain healthy habits, with a good diet and avoiding a sedentary lifestyle.
