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Aftercare for Breast Cancer

Simmo
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My breast cancer diagnosis was HER2+.  My Chemo was AC and Taxol.  I finished my chemo in July last year and then had an operation in August to remove 3 lymph nodes and the remainder of the tumor and then I had radiotherapy.

I have done the exercises on your exercises after breast cancer surgery every day since the operation and I have good movement in my arm and shoulder.  My question is can I start doing other arm exercises on the side I had my surgery.

Also my hair is growing back well and I have had my 3 chemo cuts.  Can I start to use normal shampoo or do I need to still use the baby shampoo for a while longer

Thank you

Susan

  • Hello Susan,

    Thanks for getting in touch. My name is Denise, I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurses on the Macmillan Support Line. I’ve noticed you have also joined another forum group and hope you are finding it supportive and helpful.

     

    I am sorry to read about your breast cancer diagnosis but pleased now you have finished treatment and by the sound of it on the road to recovery.

    As we nurses on the Macmillan Support Line don’t have access to NHS medical records we are unable to advise on individual treatment plans. Your breast cancer nurse specialist (CNS) would be in the best position to answer your question regarding what exercises you can start on the side where the surgery was performed as this all depends on the type of surgery you had. You can also request a physiotherapy referral from your CNS or GP to help with your exercising regime.

    You can read more about exercise during and after treatment here. Please find the direct link  to exercises after breast cancer surgery here.

    With regards to use of hair shampoo if your scalp and hair is healthy you can resume your usual routine. Different charities have different suggestions for hair care after cancer treatment but the Cancer Hair Care website is a good source of information and you can read more about caring for your new hair here.

    I hope this information is useful. Please don’t hesitate to get back in contact by email, webchat or phone, if you need further information or support.

     

    The Macmillan Support Line offers practical, clinical, financial and emotional support. You can call us free from landlines and from most mobile phone networks* on 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week, 8am – 8pm.

     

    Best wishes, Denise

     

    Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

    You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or email us. 

     

    Ref/DK/KM

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