Breast cancer

Prehabilitation and breast cancer

Prehabilitation, often called “prehab,” is support offered before breast cancer treatment begins, and continues throughout treatment. It helps you prepare for surgery and other treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

Taking steps early can make treatment easier to cope with and support your recovery afterwards. Many patients find that prehabilitation helps them feel more in control during an uncertain time.

Physical activity

Physical activity is an important part of prehabilitation.

Gentle exercises that focus on strength, movement, and balance help keep your body strong and flexible.

These exercises can reduce stiffness and help lower the risk of problems such as lymphoedema or tightness in the arm after surgery.

You will usually be referred to a physiotherapist before your operation, who will guide you through safe arm exercises and give advice about lymphoedema and cording.

Eating well

Eating well before treatment can also help your body cope better. A balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole foods supports healing and energy levels.

Emotional wellbeing

Looking after your emotional wellbeing is just as important as your physical health.It is normal to feel anxious, scared, or overwhelmed after a cancer diagnosis.

Prehabilitation includes support to help manage stress, such as breathing exercises, relaxation techniques, or counselling.

You may also be offered a referral to Breast Cancer Now’s “Here for You” or “Someone like me” services, which provide emotional and practical support.

Lifestyle choices

Making small lifestyle changes before treatment can improve recovery and overall health.

Stopping smoking and reducing alcohol intake can improve healing and help treatments work more effectively.

Pre-operation breast cancer physiotherapy

You will be invited to a pre-op session that will include breathing and circulation exercises to recover well from the anaesthetic, as well as specific arm and shoulder movements.

This is very important after breast surgery to prepare you for possible radiotherapy and long term to help you return to normal movement and avoid a frozen shoulder.

During the session the physiotherapist will talk through a comprehensive booklet and demonstrate all the movements, as well as measure and document your normal shoulder range of movement.

The physiotherapist will also discuss any limitations after surgery and indicate a time frame for returning to normal activities.

The post-op ‘return to movement’ session is also run by our specialist physiotherapist and is recommended for you about four to six weeks post-op.

Bra information

After breast cancer surgery, wearing an appropriate post-surgery bra is an important part of recovery.

The bra should be soft, wire-free, and provide gentle compression to support healing and help manage swelling.

It is recommended that the bra is purchased before surgery, during the prehabilitation phase, so it is available for immediate use afterwards.

Although individual advice should always be followed from the surgeon or breast care nurse, there are some general features that are usually recommended:

The bra should not contain underwires, as these can irritate sensitive skin and surgical incisions, particularly during the first six weeks of healing.
A front-fastening design is especially helpful if arm or shoulder movement is limited following surgery or lymph node removal.
Soft, breathable fabrics such as cotton, bamboo, or gentle microfibres are best suited to protect sensitive skin and healing scars
A seamless or minimal-seam design helps prevent rubbing or discomfort around the surgical area.
Wide straps and a wide under band provide better overall support and distribute weight evenly without placing pressure on specific areas.
Full cup coverage with deeper sides and front panels offers additional support and reduces irritation, particularly in the underarm area.
Adjustable straps and bands, including the option of bra extenders or expandable cups, allow for changes in size due to post-operative swelling.
Adjustable straps and bands, including the option of bra extenders or expandable cups, allow for changes in size due to post-operative swelling.
If a temporary breast prosthesis, often called a softie or comfie, is planned during recovery, a bra with internal pockets can help hold it securely in place.