Use of rehabilitation pathways in women with breast cancer in the first 12 months of the disease: a retrospective study

Abstract

Background Breast cancer (BC) presents important physical and psychological challenges that should be appropriately addressed through continuous, integrated and individualized rehabilitation programs after treatment. In this study, we aimed to collect more information on the rehabilitation patterns and utilization of healthcare services by women with BC. Methods We retrospectively analyzed data from two archives of the Lazio Regional Health System Database to assess rehabilitation patterns in women diagnosed with BC in the Lazio region (Italy) in 2008. Results A total of 5538 women diagnosed with BC were considered in the present study. Most patients (81.7%) received outpatient rehabilitative care, consisting mainly of pathology-related interventions and, more rarely, disability-related interventions (mainly motor rehabilitation and rarely cognitive or psychological therapy). Few patients followed an inpatient (1.3%) or an intensive outpatient rehabilitation program (1.0%). Conclusion Most patients do not receive adequate rehabilitation care during the first year after diagnosis. More information and better rehabilitation services should be provided to help patients with BC access rehabilitation programs. The study also suggests the importance of psychosocial and cognitive interventions, which is a major unmet need in women with BC.

The Utilization and Benefits of Telehealth Services by Health Care Professionals Managing Breast Cancer Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…BCa patients may experience significant psychological, psychosocial and physical challenges that can be appropriately addressed by rehabilitation during and after therapy which can decrease the side effects and facilitate the process of recovery [84]. There is need for BCa patients to receive adequate rehabilitation especially during the first 12 months after diagnosis and both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitative care should include motor rehabilitation, cognitive or psychological therapy and pathology-related interventions [85]. There are studies that have reported that aerobic exercise subsequent to BCa surgery can increase shoulder joint range of motion, improved pulmonary function, better quality of life (QoL) and pain relief [86,87].…”

The Utilization and Benefits of Telehealth Services by Health Care Professionals Managing Breast Cancer Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…BCa patients may experience significant psychological, psychosocial and physical challenges that can be appropriately addressed by rehabilitation during and after therapy which can decrease the side effects and facilitate the process of recovery [81]. There is need for BCa patients to receive adequate rehabilitation especially during the first twelve months after diagnosis and both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitative care should include motor rehabilitation, cognitive or psychological therapy and pathology-related interventions [82]. There are studies that have reported that aerobic exercise subsequent to BCa surgery can increase shoulder joint range of motion, improved pulmonary function, better quality of life (QoL) and pain relief [83,84].…”

Risk factors for long-term arm morbidities following breast cancer treatments: A systematic review

“…Identifying patients at risk of arm morbidity and providing rehabilitation programs can help survivors throughout their journey to recovery [14]. Therefore, the importance of understanding the risk factors and their effect on morbidity, including health behaviors, the type of oncological treatments including type of surgery, and even the patient's emotional state, increases [15].…”