Participating in a supervised exercise program soon after breast cancer surgery can improve patients’ shoulder function, postoperative pain, and health-related quality of life, according to a trial conducted at 17 breast cancer centers in England.

The trial’s 392 participants had a high risk of developing shoulder problems following surgery. Most had undergone axillary node clearance surgery and had received radiotherapy. The women were randomized to receive a physical therapist–led program of 3 to 6 sessions focused on shoulder mobility, stretching, and strengthening exercises or to usual care consisting of written information on exercises.

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