Breast Cancer Surgery
Can You Make a Return to Golf After Breast Cancer?

The simple answer is yes, women golfers can return to the full enjoyment of their golf game after Breast Cancer treatment. The more complex answer is how they can do that. Besides mentally recovering from being diagnosed with Breast Cancer and any surgery involved, there are some typical physical affects of both surgery and any radiation treatment. Those that would typically affect your golf are:

• A limitation in the range of motion (stiffness) in your shoulder on the side of your body that has had surgery;
• Lymphedema (swelling) of the arm and/or hand on the affected side.

The stiffness in the affected shoulder is usually a short-term problem and can be fixed with physiotherapy and exercise. The cause of this stiffness is related to the post-operative splinting of the arm to avoid discomfort caused by body movement. Usually this is a mild discomfort but it can affect your range of motion, hence, affecting your swing and putting ability; let alone carrying your golf equipment around.

Exercises for Range of Motion

By following a good solid exercise routine, you should be able to regain your range of motion and strength to ensure the longetivity of your mighty golf swing.

Some appropriate exercises for regaining your range of motion are:

• Horizontal abduction
• Pushups against the wall
• Resisted flexion
• Resisted extension
• Resisted abduction and
• Resisted adduction

The following are additional links to help you understand the different exercises:

• Oncolink.com
• Society Athletico

Lymphedema

By following a good solid exercise routine, you should be able to regain your range of motion and strength to ensure the longetivity of your mighty golf swing.

The more serious side affect after breast cancer surgery is Lymphedema and unfortunately, this is a lifelong risk. For women golfers, they may experience this swelling of the arm and/or their hands following a round of golf or a few hours at the driving range.

Many women golfers who have experienced this problem advise that you should wear a compression sleeve during your training or golf game. This type of sleeve will prevent the progression of lymphedema or at least keep it to a minimum. Not all women experience lymphedema after their breast surgery, this only affects some women golfers and is not exaggerated by their golf. If you do suffer from this condition, then it is not only during golf you should wear the compression sleeve but also during any air travel. If you’re not sure where you can get a compression sleeve or want more information, try the Ted Mann Family Resource Center who can help you with all of your questions.

For more information on exercises and treatments for Lymphedema, try Patients up to Date.

Finally, we want to dispel a myth that is generated about the effects on your golf swing should you be faced with having a mastectomy. While your golf swing may not be your first consideration – a myriad of cans and can not’s will likely run through your brain at the speed of light when you’re faced with either the decision for a mastectomy or during your recovery period from one.

Women golfers do not have to face a change in their golf swing following a mastectomy – while your swing will be affected by strength and stiffness issues, your breast removal will not dramatically alter your swing motion.

Breast Cancer Research for the Cure

The great thing about golf and women’s golf especially is that you are surrounded by people who understand not only the game but also the horrendous price that Breast Cancer exacts from women. Their awareness of this has been shown by their strength in raising funds for Breast Cancer Research and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Funds are being raised through merchandise and events to ensure that less women either are affected or die from this disease. The good news is, that with heightened awareness, women are being more proactive with checkups and thus reducing the fatalities from breast cancer.

You may be the person affected by facing breast cancer treatment or you may be a fellow woman who knows someone who is. We urge you to take the time to look at ways that you can help both yourself and other women golfers by visiting these sites and finding out what is going on in your area to Rally for the Cure:

The BCRF states on their website "Our mission is to achieve prevention and a cure for breast cancer in our lifetime by providing critical funding for innovative clinical and genetic research at leading medical centers worldwide, and increasing public awareness about good breast health. A minimum of 85 cents of every dollar goes to research and awareness programs.	Rally for the Cure®, presented by Golf For Women magazine, is about golfers who are committed to making a difference in the fight against breast cancer.
Cristie Kerr donates $50.00 to Breast Cancer Research for every Birdie she makes. As of this writing (July 2008) she is at 67 amazing birdies. And that's just for this year. Each year the clock starts over.	Breast Treatment Task Force (BTTF) provides funds and resources to facilitate free breast surgeries, treatments and educational outreach to patients without access to health insurance and underserved women. BTTF works though the Big Bam! Foundation, a 501 c3 organization.
Breast Cancer Awareness and Funding - at this writing (July 2008), the site is under construction. Check back often or email them at info@pinkribbon.com.	"The Callaway Golf Foundation has donated $1 million to the Entertainment Industry Foundation’s Women’s Cancer Programs to create the Callaway Golf Foundation Women's Cancer Initiative. This donation will fast-track breakthrough treatments and tests at leading cancer institutions nationwide to beat the disease."