Sport-sante. Rehabilitation of higher members after breast cancer

Sport-sante. Rehabilitation of higher members after breast cancer


Sport has many benefits for patients with breast cancer. Now, adapted physical activity (or APA) is an integral part of the care of the disease. After surgery, the APA allows you to find the mobility of the upper limb on the side of the breast operated.

In Martinique, according to the ARS (the Regional Health Agency), nearly 250 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed each year.

Disease and chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatments have consequences on the body, which sport can alleviate. Even in the case of surgery, that is to say breast removal, APA (suitable physical activity) improves the mobility of the upper body and the upper limbs forced by a limitation of amplitude.

Julie Jacaria is a physiotherapist. She specializes in the management of breast cancer and president of the AKAM (Kiné association in Martinique action). They are around forty professionals present throughout the territory and trained in the management of patients affected by breast cancer.

Julie for example offers once a week to the members of the Amazons, balneotherapy lessons. One way to enjoy the ideal framework of the Martinican coast, when you know that the practice of an outdoor sport is also part of therapy and well-being.


Physical activity to combat breast cancer, with Julie Jacaria referent of the breast physiotherapist network in Martinique (RKS)


The purpose of the physiotherapist is to take care of the patient without delay, during treatment and quickly after breast removal. A specific management which makes it possible to treat the consequences which can be more or less important: difficulties in raising your arm, tissue retractions, cervical pain.


A suitable physical activity helps maintain muscle mass and improve the mobility of pectoral muscles in women operated on breast cancer


During the exercises, we will work the opening of the arms to stretch the pectorals, mobilize the shoulder blades and find the mobility of the shoulder. We close on ourselves when we learn that you have cancer and have all these treatments. We then have pain and tensions of trapezoids and all muscles in the cervical and vertebrae. We do sheathing exercises, “self-large” to rebalance the posture, realign the body.

Julie Jacaria, physiotherapy specializing in the management of breast cancer and president of AKAM

Moving regularly is also to fight against this negative dynamic which settles in the face of disease and fatigue.

Sport is upset. We tend to rest when you are sick, but on the contrary, sport helps to fight against asthenia, this persistent fatigue.

Julie Jacaria physiotherapist

Doing sports and physical activity when you have followed or follows a treatment against breast cancer, it is therefore possible and even strongly advised. Everyone has their own pace.

Today we know that almost a third of breast cancer cases are linked to sedentary lifestyle. Conversely, the practice of physical and sporting activity integrated into the care path has demonstrated its benefits on quality of life and the reduction of recurrences.



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