Quality of Life Interventions in Breast Cancer Survivors: State of the Art in Targeted Rehabilitation Strategies

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor and the most prevalent cause of mortality in women. Advances in early diagnosis and more effective adjuvant therapies have improved the long-term survival of these patients. Pharmacotherapies and intrinsic tumor-related factors may lead to a wide spectrum of treatment-related disabling complications, such as breast cancer-related lymphedema, axillary web syndrome, persistent pain, bone loss, arthralgia, and fatigue. These conditions have a detrimental impact on the health-related quality of life of survivors. Here, we sought to provide a portrait of the role that rehabilitation plays in breast cancer survivors. Particular emphasis has been put in terms of recovering function, improving independence in activities of daily living, and reducing disability. This complex scenario requires a precision medicine approach to provide more effective decision-making and adequate treatment compliance.

Keywords: Breast cancer; axillary web syndrome; bone loss; breast cancer-related lymphedema; cancer-related fatigue; fatigue; lymphedema; pain; quality of life; rehabilitation.