ABSTRACT
Background Although
the benefit of supportive care in the postcancer period is now well
demonstrated, its implementation in the patient journey remains challenging.
This article
describes
the development, since 2015 and in routine care, of supportive postcancer care
comprising
a multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme (MRP) based on exercise for
patients
with
early breast cancer.
Methods As
part of quality control, we reviewed all patient files since the programme was
implemented. Patient data regarding the type of cancer, clinical and
pathological factors,
and
treatment were recorded in a computerised database.
Results From
April 2015 to January 2024, 655 patients participated in the MRP. The programme
lasts for 14 weeks, totalling 126 hours of face-to-face programme, with a
maximum of 8 patients per group, in 5 different centres. A multidisciplinary professional
team provide supportive care. The MRP is mainly based on supervised physical exercise
and patients also participate in social,
psychological,
dietary support and educational sessions. Supervised physical exercise includes
cardiorespiratory
endurance work through specific sessions on ergometers or outdoor walking and
adapted physical activity sessions to improve muscular capacities (endurance, strength
and flexibility).
Conclusion We
describe here the practical implementation of a routine multidisciplinary supportive
care programme, based mainly on physical activity, for post-treatment breast
cancer
patients. We report almost 9 years of experience with the programme. We show that offering this programme in the postcancer setting and in clinical routine practice is feasible and can be maintained in the long term.
