Radiation may also be useful to treat breast cancer that has spread to specific parts of the body. If the disease reappears in the breast area, treatment usually is surgery or radiation. Also, some type of systemic therapy is recommended. The methods used to treat breast cancer are very powerful. That's why treatment often causes unpleasant side effects.
Side effects depend on the type of treatment used and on the part of the body be- ing treated.
Removal of a breasts can cause a woman's weight to shift and be out of balance-especially if a woman has large breasts. It can also cause discomfort in her neck and back. Also, surgery can cause the skin in the breast area to be tight and the muscles of the arm and shoulder to feel stiff. With a radical mastectomy, a woman may have some permanent loss of strength, but for most women, reduced strength and limited movement are temporary. The doctor, nurse, or physical therapist can recommend exercises to help a woman regain movement and strength.