Pre-surgery assessment may be done to give a comparison of arm movements and swelling before and after surgery. At the time of the pre-surgery assessment, the individual is given home exercise programs and information on what to expect following surgery. Post-surgical assessments may be done when requested by a physician as well. Rehabilitation can be used to address any or all of these areas, and to address emotional issues. If these problems are not corrected, patients may experience a permanent reduction or loss of function in the affected area or extremity.
Patients can start rehabilitation at the time the diagnosis of cancer is made.
Patients with lymphedema may begin at any time after diagnosis. Efforts are made to identify a payment program that is suitable to each patient's individual financial needs. The outpatient Breast Cancer Rehabilitation Program is co-sponsored by the Walt Disney Memorial Cancer Institute at Florida Hospital and Florida Hospital Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine.