After having breast cancer surgery there are different procedures that women and men will go through. The extent of breast tissue removal following a cancer diagnosis will depend on the diagnosis given and the process started, with an assessment of how far the cancer has spread and the type of cancer present.
Surgeries
- Bilateral surgeries involving both breasts
- Breast conserving surgery, known as wide local incision, removal of breast tumour leaving the breast intact
- Simple Mastectomy, removing entire breast, without removing axillary lymph nodes
- Skin-Sparing mastectomy, the nipple and areola usually removed, and the rest of the skin over the breast is preserved
- Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy and Areola-Sparing Mastectomy,
- Modified Radical Mastectomy, breast tissue, lymph nodes in the axilla are removed
- Radical Mastectomy, aggressive surgery – chest muscles are removed
- Contralateral Prophylactic Mastectomy, mastectomy surgery, the uninvolved breast removed
- Bilateral Prophylactic Mastectomy, Removal of both breasts high risk breast cancer, where woman have the BRACA gene.
Reconstructions
A delayed reconstruction because of post-surgery damage from radiotherapy. Expander implants, the surgeon places a tissue expander between skin and chest muscle. Flap Surgery, Diep flap, tram flap & muscle flap, the use of area of the body, harvesting blood supply and body’s own fat cells to recreate a new breast.
Well being
After surgery many woman and men will go through chemotherapy and radiotherapy and it is important that each person is given an understanding of the healing process of what their bodies will go through which is supported by their oncology team and surgeon.
Scar Work Therapy
- The scar work therapy is a gentle hands-on using many scar work techniques to help release tightness around and near the scarring.
- Helps to reduce adhesions.
- Improves wound healing and appearance of the scarring.
- Release by loosening and releasing tight scar tissue to help reduce discomfort.
- Helps to assist restricted mobility by reducing tightness and encouraging mobility between the layers of the skin, fascia, muscles, which helps to improve range of mobility.
Scar work treatment is rarely painful, and always given within the client’s comfort level. Usually a client will notice changes incrementally after each treatment session. Treatment will be given 1 – 4 weeks apart, depending on age and presentation of your scar and what changes you hope to be achieved. Your scar (s) can be treated even if you have had your scarring for a long time, as your body is constantly renewing cells, and it has been found even old scar tissue can respond to stimulation with Scar Work Therapy.
My Experience and Journey with Scars
I have been working on clients scars for 4 years and I was trained by Sharon Wheeler from the USA who developed scar work techniques. Sharon trained with Dr Ida. P. Rolf, the founder of Structural Integration, also known as Rolfing.
She was able to change and promote healing in scars while working as a therapist and has spent over 40 years developing her techniques and is still continuing her journey of training hundred of therapists all over the world. www.wheelerfascialwork.com
Sharon, trained both Jan Trewartha (Body in Harmony) website:www.bodyinharmony.org.uk
Emma Holly (Restore Therapy) website: https://restoretherapy.co.uk/
Both are accredited Scar Worker teachers. Sharon and Jan released a book Scars, Adhesions, and the Biotensegral Body.
Emma Holly has taken her training further by introducing her techniques and working with women and men who have been through breast cancer surgery.
I have been drawn more and more to work with people who have had breast cancer surgery and seeing the scarring, restrictions, adhesions and impact on their mobility, and now that I am specializing in breast cancer surgery scar work I am seeing the results of the scar softening and clients getting their mobility movements back to where they want to be.
Oncology Accredited
I am fully qualified, accredited and certificated to be able to work with clients who have had all forms of cancer.
