Chapter 10 tells you how to help prevent lymphoedema and how it is treated. Many women notice a change in their balance after their operation. This is because of the loss of the weight of your breast. To prevent posture and back problems occurring, you can be specially fitted with a prosthesis that is weighted to match the weight of the breast that was removed. Chapter 9 provides further information about prostheses.
Some women feel distressed, anxious or depressed before, during and after treatment.
These feelings are normal. Chapter 8 describes some of the feelings you might have and where you can get help. Action Tell your surgeon or general practitioner about any side effects or concerns you have and ask how they can be managed. Radiation therapy Radiation therapy after mastectomy aims to treat the skin of the chest where the breast was. Radiation therapy is not given to all women after mastectomy.