Diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Physical activity recommendations for breast cancer survivors: A Narrative Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12775/QS.2026.60.72800Keywords
Breast cancer, Breast-conserving surgery, Radiotherapy, Oncological rehabilitation, Physical activity, Lymphedema prevention, PTOK standardsAbstract
Background. Modern breast cancer management balances oncological safety with functional preservation. While surgical resection and radiotherapy ensure local control, post-treatment sequelae significantly impair long-term quality of life.
Aim. To synthesize contemporary diagnostic and therapeutic standards in breast cancer—focusing on conserving surgery, oncoplastic reconstruction, and hypofractionated radiotherapy—and to establish a structured, post-treatment physical activity framework.
Methods. A literature review was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and PEDro databases (2015–2025), focusing on clinical guidelines from the Polish Society of Clinical Oncology (PTOK) and the St. Gallen Consensus.
Results. Breast-conserving surgery combined with sentinel lymph node biopsy reduces surgical morbidity without compromising survival, while hypofractionated radiotherapy optimizes treatment workflows. Early active physiotherapy (lymphatic self-drainage and mobility exercises) initiated on postoperative days 10–14 effectively prevents upper-limb lymphedema. Long-term adherence to ≥150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise weekly alongside progressive resistance training (2–3 times/week) counteracts endocrine-therapy-induced bone loss, alleviates fatigue, and reduces recurrence risk by 20–40%.
Conclusions. Shifting from a sedentary postoperative lifestyle to structured physical rehabilitation is essential. Integrating phase-specific exercise regimens minimizes treatment side effects, restores functional capacity, and substantially improves quality of life for breast cancer survivors.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Oliwia Krazińska, Małgorzata Niewęgłowska, Mateusz Bernad, Katarzyna Widomska, Aleksandra Bender, Paulina Walczak, Bartłomiej Szymulewicz, Kacper Dąbrowski, Jakub Łukaszewicz, Magdalena Gałach
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