Authors (including presenting author) :
Chun OK(1), Li J(2), Or YM Amy(1), Fung KY(2), Wong WL(1), Leung R(2),Wong NS(1)
Affiliation :
(1) The Breast Centre, Department of Surgery, Kwong Wah Hospital, (2) Physiotherapy Department, Kwong Wah Hospital
Introduction :
Breast cancer-related lymphedema is one of the major important long-term complications after breast cancer treatment including surgery and radiotherapy. It presents with symptoms at the affected limb with swelling, feeling of heaviness or tightness, aching, limited movement even at a higher risk of recurrent infection. It also imposes a negative impact on quality of life. Exercise is recommended to prevent the occurrence and reduce the exacerbation of lymphedema. However, exercise compliance and to maintain a reasonable physical activity level are an issue. The aim of our lymphedema prevention dance is to promote physical and psychological wellbeing of breast cancer patients after operation.
Objectives :
The objectives are to
1. stimulate patient’s motivation to do exercise with fun
2. promote the educational dance to prevent breast cancer related lymphedema
3. optimize physical function to achieve active life style
Methodology :
A well-structured dance was designed by Kwong Wah Hospital breast team breast care nurses and physiotherapists who were certified lymphedema practitioner to incorporate lymphatic drainage into exercise. A professional dance teacher choreographed this lymphedema prevention dance. The music was re-arranged by BandOne which is a music band from the staffs in Kwong Wah Hospital. Breast cancer survivors who were interested in the project were recruited.
Result & Outcome :
15 dancers including breast care nurses, physiotherapists, breast cancer survivors and dance teacher practiced for four months. Video shooting for the dance was completed in June 2019. The production of this dance was completed and uploaded to YouTube in September 2019 to facilitate easy access through hyperlink or 2D bar-code. 7000 views from YouTube were recorded in first two months.
Breast cancer-related lymphedema is a challenge for both health care providers and survivors. Studies have shown that women who participated in supervised progressive exercise reduced the chance of having lymphedema. Dancing provides an interesting way for breast cancer survivors to exercise, promote active lifestyle and prevent upper limb lymphedema. This dance could be done in anywhere on individual basis, in group or in a class. Now we had incorporated the dance into our extended rehabilitation program to reduce the risk of developing lymphedema for our post-operative breast cancer patients.
