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Key findings:
- Results of the clinical trial show significant improvement for women taking part in a structured exercise programme following breast cancer surgery
- Non-reconstructive breast cancer surgeries, such as mastectomy and treatments to the axilla (armpit), often leave patients with debilitating arm and shoulder problems
- With 85% of women now surviving for five years after breast cancer, there is a need to support women recovering from breast cancer treatments
Led by the University of Warwick, an international team of researchers, including a team from the Centre for Rehabilitation Research (RRIO) at NDORMS, described an improvement in shoulder and arm mobility and reduction in pain amongst women who were recovering after non-reconstructive breast cancer surgery after taking part in the structured PROSPER rehabilitation programme.
Published in The BMJ, the study authors are calling for wider adoption of the PROSPER programme in cancer services to improve the wellbeing of women recovering from breast cancer surgery. The study was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), the research partner of the NHS, public health and social care.
In non-reconstructive breast cancer surgeries, which includes women having mastectomy and surgery to the axilla (armpit), surgeons aim to remove the cancer and often some nodes in the armpit to control the cancer. This targeted treatment can leave patients with shoulder and arm problems, including chronic pain, restricted movement and arm swelling (known as lymphoedema). Past research has shown that as many as one third women recovering from breast cancer surgery can struggle to return to everyday tasks such as lifting bags and driving.
Usual care is to give an advice leaflet explaining exercises to do after breast cancer surgery. As part of the Prevention of Shoulder Problems Trial (PROSPER), researchers led from the University of Warwick worked with physiotherapists and breast cancer patients to design an exercise programme for those at higher risk of developing shoulder problems. The PROSPER exercise programme consists of an assessment with a physiotherapist at one week after their surgery, and followed by a prescribed programme of stretching, range of motion and resistance exercises.
Dr Esther Williamson, ARC OxTV Senior Research Fellow and deputy Director of the Centre for Rehabilitation Research, University of Oxford, said: "Many women following breast cancer treatment will experience ongoing shoulder and arm problems. This study demonstrated that a physiotherapy led exercise programme can reduce the impact of cancer treatment on women's shoulder function, improve quality of life and it is cost-effective.
Our team are delighted to have contributed to this important study which focuses on helping women to recover following breast cancer treatment. We worked with the research team at the University of Warwick led by Professor Julie Bruce to develop the PROSPER programme for women who at risk of shoulder problems following breast cancer treatment."
Among the RRIO team, Beth Fordham provided the health psychology input to the PROSPER programme, and Cynthia Srikesavan worked alongside Esther to develop the physiotherapy exercises along with Jane Moser and Meredith Newman from the Physiotherapy Research Unit at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Hospital.
In what is the largest trial in this patient group to date, the researchers recruited 392 women undergoing non-reconstructive breast cancer surgery who were at higher risk of developing shoulder or arm complications. Half were randomly assigned to take part in the PROSPER rehabilitation programme, and half to receive usual care (advice leaflets only). 17 UK National Health Service cancer centres recruited to the trial, including Oxford University Hospital NHS Trust.
Participants were asked to complete questionnaires on their arm function, pain and overall quality of life over a 12 month period. After 12 months, women in the exercise group reported fewer arm disability symptoms, lower pain intensity, and better physical quality of life than those in the usual care group.
Professor Julie Bruce of Warwick Clinical Trials Unit at the University of Warwick, and principal investigator on the PROSPER trial, said: "We hope these results will encourage NHS Trusts to consider offering this service to women having non-reconstructive breast cancer surgery. This would mean training physiotherapists in the PROSPER rehabilitation programme. This is a proven cost-effective programme that we know can help women undergoing certain breast cancer procedures, and it could be offered on the NHS."
The research has informed a new online, free-to-access Futurelearn course, aimed at health professionals, to teach them how to deliver the PROSPER programme to their patients as part of routine care. Funded by the University of Exeter and led by Professor Sallie Lamb, the course is open to registration, launches on November 29, and aims to swiftly roll out the PROSPER programme to benefit patients.
