{"title":"Post-cancer rehabilitation","image":"/images/competences/reeducation-post-cancer.jpg","content":"\n**After cancer, the body and daily life may need time to regain their balance.** Post-cancer rehabilitation supports the recovery of strength, mobility, breathing, endurance and confidence in movement. At Pôle Equilibre & Santé in Bascharage, it begins with a careful assessment and is built around your situation, your goals and the recommendations of your medical team. It can begin after treatment or, when the oncologist recommends it, during the care pathway. Physiotherapy complements the follow-up of your oncologist and your doctor: it never replaces it.\n\nTo explore oncology support further, also see our dedicated site [kine-onco.lu](https://kine-onco.lu/), which presents our approach, the situations we treat and practical advice for preparing your appointment.\n\n## Who is it for?\n\nAn assessment can be useful after surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy or a period of hospitalisation, particularly in case of persistent fatigue, loss of strength, pain, stiffness, a sensitive scar, reduced endurance, balance disorders or difficulty resuming usual activities.\n\nRehabilitation does not depend solely on the type of cancer. It takes into account the treatments received, the side effects, your history, your goals and the instructions of your medical team. The programme is reassessed regularly, with cautious progression on the days when fatigue is greater. The intensity, breaks and content of the sessions are adapted to how you feel that day, never seeking to force recovery.\n\n## An assessment before resuming\n\nThe first appointment helps take stock of your care pathway and of what bothers you today. Depending on needs, the physiotherapist assesses mobility, strength, breathing, endurance, balance, scars, swelling, sensation, pain and the movements that remain difficult.\n\nThe assessment is used to define concrete goals: walking more, regaining the use of an arm, resuming stairs, improving tolerance to effort, moving without apprehension or gradually resuming a professional, family or sporting activity. It also makes it possible to identify signs that require medical advice before continuing or intensifying exercises. Physiotherapy does not replace medical advice in case of a new or unusual symptom.\n\n## Breast cancer: specific care\n\nAfter breast cancer, an operation or radiotherapy, some people present shoulder stiffness, arm discomfort, a sensitive scar, a change in posture, significant fatigue or lymphoedema. Personalised, respectful and progressive care can help regain mobility and comfort, without forcing an area that is still healing. The work is always dosed according to healing timelines and the instructions of the surgical team.\n\nFor information specifically dedicated to this situation, see [kine-sein.lu](https://kine-sein.lu/), and more broadly [kine-onco.lu](https://kine-onco.lu/) for oncology support. In case of swelling of the arm or chest, care may include advice, adapted exercises and, when indicated, complementary work around [lymphatic drainage](/bascharage/traitement/drainage-lymphatique).\n\n## Adapting rehabilitation to the area concerned\n\nThe consequences of treatment vary according to the area operated on and the care received. When it matches your situation, rehabilitation can work together with the following specialities:\n\n- after an involvement of the **chest** or in case of shortness of breath and reduced endurance, [cardiorespiratory rehabilitation](/bascharage/traitement/cardio-respiratoire);\n- for the **pelvic floor** after surgery or in case of urinary or digestive disorders, [perineal and sphincter rehabilitation](/bascharage/traitement/reeducation-perineo-sphincterienne);\n- in case of fatigue, balance disorders, neuropathy or after-effects affecting the nervous system, [neurological rehabilitation](/bascharage/traitement/reeducation-neurologique);\n- after surgery or a limitation of a **limb or joint**, [orthopaedic rehabilitation](/bascharage/traitement/reeducation-orthopedique), with the specialised resources for the [back](https://kine-dos.lu/), [shoulder](https://kine-epaule.lu/), [hand](https://kine-main.lu/), [wrist](https://kine-poignet.lu/), [hip](https://kine-hanche.lu/) or [knee](https://kine-genou.lu/) depending on the area concerned.\n\nThese links point to the right category or the right specialised site; the assessment remains necessary to determine the care appropriate to your pathway.\n\n## What goals?\n\n- gradually reduce the impact of fatigue on daily activities;\n- recover strength, mobility and endurance at a pace that respects recovery;\n- regain more comfortable movements around a scar;\n- support swelling or lymphoedema when indicated;\n- improve breathing, balance and confidence in movement;\n- resume daily, professional or sporting activities in stages.\n\nExercises are dosed according to how you feel that day. They may combine gentle mobility, progressive strengthening, breathing work, balance, endurance and advice for managing effort and energy. The aim is not to push back fatigue at all costs, but to regain abilities without compromising recovery. Progress is built over time, taking into account good days as well as harder ones.\n\n## When should you seek medical advice?\n\nContact your doctor or oncology team in case of fever, unusual shortness of breath, new or intense pain, sudden swelling, significant redness, bleeding, malaise or a rapid decline in general condition. In case of emergency, call **112**. Physiotherapy always acts as a complement to medical follow-up and does not replace urgent care.\n\n## Booking an appointment\n\nPost-cancer care is coordinated with your care pathway. You can [book online](https://fr.doctena.lu/cabinet/Pole_Equilibre_Sante-281318) or call the Bascharage practice on [+352 26 65 28 42](tel:+35226652842). Remember to bring your prescription, your reports and the instructions of your care team if you have them. To understand the steps, also see [The physiotherapy consultation](/bascharage/kinesitherapie/consultation-kine).\n\n## Frequently asked questions\n\nCan physiotherapy start during treatment?
\n\nSometimes, when it is indicated and coordinated with the medical team. The timing, intensity and goals depend on the ongoing treatment, your test results and your general condition. The programme remains cautious and evolving, with particular attention to days of fatigue.\nDo I need a prescription?
\n\nPhysiotherapy is organised according to the rules in force and your medical situation. For care reimbursed by the CNS, a medical prescription and the conditions in force are generally required. Bring your prescription, your reports and the instructions of your care team if you have them.\nDoes rehabilitation only concern breast cancer?
\n\nNo. Breast cancer benefits from specialised support on [kine-sein.lu](https://kine-sein.lu/), but rehabilitation can also be adapted to the aftermath of other treatments. The links to the categories and specialised sites above make it possible to guide care according to the area concerned.\nWill physiotherapy make my fatigue worse?
\n\nExercises are dosed to respect your recovery. Appropriate activity can, on the contrary, help to better manage the fatigue related to treatment. The intensity, duration and breaks are adjusted at each session, and the programme is lightened on harder days.\nWhat should I do in case of swelling of the arm or leg?
\n\nNew or worsening swelling should be reported to your medical team. When indicated, care may include advice, exercises and work around [lymphatic drainage](/bascharage/traitement/drainage-lymphatique). Associated redness, warmth or significant pain requires prompt medical advice.\nCan sessions take place at home?
\n\nHome sessions may be considered when travel is difficult or after a hospitalisation. The practice often remains more suitable for strengthening, endurance and balance with equipment. The safest arrangement is defined with you and, if necessary, your doctor.\nHow do I book an appointment?
\n\nYou can [book online](https://fr.doctena.lu/cabinet/Pole_Equilibre_Sante-281318) or call the Bascharage practice on [+352 26 65 28 42](tel:+35226652842). If you are unsure about the urgency of your symptoms, call 112 rather than waiting for an appointment.\n