Perceptions of upper-body problems during recovery from XXXX treatment.

@entity1 @entity0 @entity73 @entity6475 @entity717 @entity4764
Despite improved recognition recently, restrictions in @entity717 continue to cause @entity73 for many @entity1 long after @entity0 treatment. The purpose of this research is to investigate this issue through the perceptions of @entity0 survivors in the context of their everyday lives. Twenty-four @entity1 recruited from a private breast clinic in south-eastern Queensland, Australia, participated in a qualitative study. Discussion groups comprised @entity1 treated for @entity0 within the previous 18 months. Discussions centred on experiences of physical difficulties, follow-up support, arm lymphoedema and exercise therapy during the @entity1 's recoveries. Returning to normal activities for @entity1 after breast surgery was felt to take longer than either the @entity1 's or their physicians' expectations. Many @entity1 reported difficulties in upper-body tasks, which worsened simple everyday responsibilities. The physical impact leads to @entity6475 , as the @entity1 are constantly reminded of their illness and the possibility they may never return to their full capacity. These @entity4764 may include discomfort while driving and sleeping, posture disturbances, reduced employability in physical work, and decreased ability to do housework and gardening. Having lymphoedema or the threat of developing it was very distressing for most @entity1 . The potential preventive role of physiotherapy-led exercises to prevent further decline and improve function was strongly emphasised during these discussions. Clinicians need to recognise that it is very common for @entity1 with @entity0 to experience upper-body morbidity long after their treatment, and consequently every effort to enhance recovery and avoid further deterioration in function is required.
