Physical and psychologic readjustment after mastectomy: an evaluation of Memorial Hospitals' PMRG program

Abstract

Memorial Hospital in New York City, the clinical section of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, has developed a Post-Mastectomy Rehabilitation Group (PMRG) Program. The PMRG Program is comprised of a series of structured exercise, information, discussion, and group therapy sessions conducted by a social worker, nurse, physical therapist, and a volunteer from Reach to Recovery. The specific purposes of the program are to help a patient to begin to regain functional use of her arm and shoulder on the affected side, and to adapt functionally, psychologically, and emotionally to the loss of her breast and to the diagnosis of cancer in the shortest time possible. Approximately 1,700 women who underwent mastectomy participated in the program between 1970 and 1974. Some results and conclusions are: the patient's age and type of operation are related to physical recovery, resumption of normal activities, return to work, and emotional stress; 84% (661 of 790 patients) resumed normal activities within the four-month postoperative period; 74% (237 of 317 patients) returned to work (full time) within three months of their mastectomies; 13% (52 of 406 patients) experienced moderate or severe emotional stress; activity per se (any activity, doing something, keeping busy) affects readjustment; the apparent disadvantage of greater trauma with more extensive surgery may be more than compensated for by the relatively young age of that population, and the relatively less physical trauma and injury, resulting from simple mastectomies may be overshadowed by the patient's age and general physical condition; 98% (284 of 291 patients) reported the PMRG program helpful.