3. Physiotherapy during breast cancer treatments can mitigate side effects
Breast cancer treatment often includes chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormonal therapy or targeted therapy. These treatments can cause several impairments - many of which physiotherapy can help lessen or manage.
Fatigue: One of the most common and debilitating side effects. Physiotherapists guide graded, individualized exercise plans to counteract deconditioning - reduced cardiovascular capacity, and muscle loss and weakness
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: Occurs in up to one-third of patients, affecting sensation, coordination, balance, and functional mobility. Physiotherapy offers balance, proprioceptive training, strength programs, and gait strategies to mitigate impact.
Radiation effects: Tissue fibrosis, reduced elasticity, nerve stiffness, and impaired lymphatic drainage may develop. Gentle mobilization, stretching, soft tissue work and lymphatic techniques (when appropriate) can preserve function.
Endocrine/hormonal therapy effects: Long-term therapies may induce menopause-related bone density loss, joint pain, arthralgias, and myalgias. Resistance training, weight-bearing exercises, and flexibility work help mitigate bone loss and musculoskeletal symptoms.
In all cases, physiotherapists monitor for contraindications (e.g. during neutropenia, low platelet counts, or when there are surgical wounds), adapting programs accordingly.
4. Long-term support after breast cancer treatment is essential
Even after active cancer treatments conclude, many survivors face persistent or late-emerging symptoms: chronic fatigue, pain, lymphoedema, cardiometabolic changes, weight gain, psychological distress, and musculoskeletal problems.
- Ongoing physiotherapy and supervised exercise can:
- Reduce fatigue
- Improve cardiovascular fitness and muscular strength
- Control lymphedema and swelling
- Manage pain and movement restrictions
- Encourage a healthy body composition
- Enhance emotional wellbeing and quality of life
In the UAE, the rehabilitation trial mentioned above showed significant improvements in functional and symptom outcomes, reinforcing the need for sustained rehab beyond treatment.
Psychosocial support (yoga, mindfulness, gentle movement, breathing exercises) is also vital to address anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance, and body image concerns.
5. Physiotherapy matters even in advanced breast cancer
As people live longer with metastatic breast cancer, physiotherapy remains relevant:
With appropriate assessment and precautions, exercise is safe and beneficial—even in presence of bone metastases. It can help maintain mobility, muscle strength, functional capacity, and quality of life.
Some treatments (e.g. anthracyclines, left-sided radiotherapy) carry risk of injury to the heart. Physiotherapists can help monitor cardiovascular signs, provide safe conditioning, and coordinate care with cardiology/oncology.
Physiotherapists should stay vigilant to signs of disease recurrence or metastases (e.g. new unexplained bone pain, night pain, neurological symptoms, weight loss) and liaise immediately with the oncology team.
In palliative or end-of-life care, the focus shifts to symptom relief, maximizing functional independence, and ensuring the person’s comfort and dignity. Physiotherapy contributes meaningfully to holistic supportive care.
Conclusion & Call to Action
Breast cancer care in the UAE is evolving, and physiotherapy is an under-appreciated yet indispensable component of comprehensive, patient-centered care. Whether the goal is faster recovery after surgery, mitigating treatment side effects, improving long-term function, or sustaining quality of life in advanced disease, physiotherapists have a vital role.
If you or someone you care for is navigating breast cancer, early involvement of physiotherapy can make a real difference. At our clinic in Dubai, we offer tailored rehabilitation programs—pre- and post-surgery, during treatment, and in survivorship—to support recovery, strength, mobility, and wellbeing.
