Mastectomy Recovery

Since this month is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it’s an important time to remind everyone about the importance of self-exams, what to look for, and what you can do if you are a survivor after you have been through treatment. This is a cause that is near and dear to our hearts here at Arancia PT because we not only treat survivors, but most of us have someone close to us who has been afflicted by breast cancer. Whether your family has a history of breast cancer or not, it’s important to know how to look and what to look for so you can catch it as early as possible. Also, if you have had any type of breast augmentation, getting the breasts treated is a great way to reduce the negative effects of scar tissue.

Self-exams are the most important piece in breast health as it creates breast awareness. Whether you have or have not undergone breast surgery, it’s vital to take the time to examine your breasts and notice any changes that they go through. It’s important to note how your breasts change during your menstrual cycle. That way, it’s easier to spot an irregularity. Knowing your baseline during each stage of your cycle is the only way to spot an abnormality. This is for everyone, not just people with breast tissue!

Step 1: Begin by looking at your breasts in the mirror with your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips.

Step 2: Now, raise your arms and look for the same changes.

Step 3: Next, feel your breasts while lying down, using your right hand to feel your left breast and then your left hand to feel your right breast. Use a firm, smooth touch with the first few finger pads of your hand, keeping the fingers flat and together. Use a circular motion, about the size of a quarter. Cover the entire breast from top to bottom, side to side — from your collarbone to the top of your abdomen, and from your armpit to your cleavage. Follow a pattern to be sure that you cover the whole breast. You can move your fingers up and down vertically, in rows, as if you were mowing a lawn. Be sure to feel all the tissue from the front to the back of your breasts: for the skin and tissue just beneath, use light pressure; use medium pressure for tissue in the middle of your breasts; use firm pressure for the deep tissue in the back. When you've reached the deep tissue, you should be able to feel down to your ribcage.

Step 4: Finally, repeat this while you are standing or sitting. Many women find that the easiest way to feel their breasts is when their skin is wet and slippery, so they like to do this step in the shower.

So, what am I looking for?

• Breasts that are their usual size, shape, and color
• Breasts that are evenly shaped without visible distortion or swelling

If you see any of the following changes, bring them to your doctor's attention:

• Dimpling, puckering, or bulging of the skin
• A nipple that has changed position or an inverted nipple (pushed inward instead of sticking out)
• Redness, soreness, rash, or swelling
• Any signs of fluid coming out of one or both nipples (this could be a watery, milky, or yellow fluid or blood).
• Lumps that change in size or shape

That is why it is not just important to feel but to look at your breasts in the mirror as you give yourself the exam. It’s important to note that to be 100% sure that you’re in the clear, scheduling regular mammograms and physicals with your primary care is a must. Especially if you have any slight doubt that what you are seeing or feeling is abnormal. It never hurts to double-check!

Breasts have lumps so if you feel one don’t panic! The best thing to do is keep an eye on it and notice any changes as you go through your menstrual cycle. You may want to wait and see if it disappears after your period. However, if you are worried, never hesitate to get a second opinion.

So where does MFR come in? According to John Barnes, the creator of the myofascial technique, myofascial release can be helpful after having a mastectomy, breast reduction, or augmentation. This is because myofascial is beneficial in reducing the negative impacts of scarring. For mastectomies, scarring can cause a great deal of pain as it grows through the body and can reach into the respiratory diaphragm, causing the body to pull forward. This is a recipe for headaches, back pain, and neck pain. A study was conducted to evaluate the influence of patients' attitudes toward massage on pressure pain sensitivity and the immune effects of myofascial release in breast cancer survivors (BCS). The techniques used on the BCS were modeled after the John F. Barnes approach. The conductors of this study measured markers of immune function which included salivary flow rate, cortisol, and immunoglobin concentrations, and x-amylase activity. What they found was that there was a significant increase in salivary flow rate, thus leading researchers to believe that it has an increase in immune function.

Overall, it’s important to be proactive rather than reactive when it comes to breast cancer. Check yourself regularly and notice your body changes during your cycle. This will be the only way to detect any abnormality and save you from catching it too late. Don’t panic, trust your gut, and seek a second opinion if you are concerned. If you have undergone any type of breast surgery, it’s highly recommended that you seek an MFR specialist who can help you with pain, mobility, and prevent you from future ailments.

Here is a picture of our very own Dr. Jessica Papa with her dad at a Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation event in 2018!

Works Cited

“Breast Self-Exam: How to Check for Lumps and Other Breast Changes.” Breastcancer.org, 12 Aug. 2021, https://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/types/self_exam. 

Fernández-Lao, Carolina et al. “The influence of patient attitude toward massage on pressure pain sensitivity and immune system after application of myofascial release in breast cancer survivors: a randomized, controlled crossover study.” Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeuticsvol. 35,2 (2012): 94-100. doi:10.1016/j.jmpt.2011.09.011