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Breast cancer patients having surgery in Beaumont Hospital are seen by a physiotherapist on the day of their breast surgery and post discharge from hospital in an outpatient setting for education, treatment and exercise regimens as required. The physiotherapist will advise on initial assessment if follow up appointments are required.
Patient information leaflets developed by our physiotherapists are based on evidence based practice and are updated regularly.
Patients undergoing the following procedures are seen by a physiotherapist in Beaumont Hospital:
- Breast Reconstruction
- Mastectomy with or without sentinel lymph node biopsy
- Axillary Node Clearance
The following procedures do not routinely require physiotherapy input but a referral to Physiotherapy can be made by the surgical team if required:
- Wide local excisions / partial Mastectomies
- Removal of breast implant
- Sentinel lymph node biopsies in isolation
Lymphoedema
Lymph nodes play an important role in the body by helping to clear lymph fluid from the arm, chest and back. They also produce infection fighting cells. When these nodes are removed there is a risk of developing a condition called Lymphoedema. All patients are educated as to their risk of developing lymphoedema at their initial physiotherapy assessment.
A lymphoedema treatment service is available to all patients of Beaumont Hospital with a history of breast cancer via a referral from their hospital doctor.
Beaumont Hospital lymphoedema service was the first service in Ireland to create a Lymphoedema awareness wristband for our patients to prevent the affected arm being used for blood tests and intravenous lines. Please see our Lymphoedema awareness poster.
Contact details:
Senior Physiotherapist, Symptomatic Breast Service, Beaumont Hospital
Physiotherapy Department
Tel: 01 8092526/ 01 8092956
Lymphoedema queries - Tel: 01 852 8698