Evidence Update: Therapeutic Benefits of Massage during Chemotherapy
Benefits of Therapeutic Massage during Chemotherapy Patients with cancer commonly experience disease or treatment side effects, including pain, fatigue, nausea, and anxiety. An expanding body of literature supports the use of therapeutic massage as an adjunct to conventional therapies to manage these side effects. A recent research study examined cancer patients’ perceptions of pain, fatigue, […]
Evidence Update: Financial Burden of Breast Cancer
The Financial Burden of Breast Cancer A recent study examined the financial impact of lymphedema following a diagnosis of breast cancer. Researchers in Australia surveyed 361 women who had either breast cancer without lymphedema (209 patients) or breast cancer with lymphedema (152 patients). The results showed that both breast cancer and lymphedema result in significant out-of-pocket financial costs borne by women during and after treatment. For […]
Evidence Update: Joint Pain and Aromatase Inhibitors
Joint Pain and Aromatase Inhibitors Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) have now been established as successful adjuvant therapy for breast cancer survivors who are post-menopausal and whose cancer is estrogen-receptor-positive. These include anastrozole (Arimidex), letrozole (Femara) and exemastane (Aromasin). Unfortunately, nearly half of women taking AIs report joint pain, or arthralgia. It is estimated that 20-30% of […]
Evidence Update: Pilates Based Exercise Beneficial
Pilates-Based Exercise Improves Upper Extremity Problems in Breast Cancer Patients It is well documented in the medical literature that breast cancer treatment, particularly surgery and radiation, contribute to upper extremity impairments, including decreased motion, weakness and difficulty doing usual functional tasks. A recent study examined the effectiveness of Pilates-based exercises, compared to combined exercise and home exercise as […]
