Breast Cancer Exercise Program | Week 1: Rebuild Strength After Mastectomy or Breast Reconstruction

Welcome to Week 1 of our Breast Cancer Recovery Series! Whether you're recovering from a mastectomy, breast reconstruction, lumpectomy, or cancer treatment, this guided workout is designed to help you safely rebuild strength, improve posture, restore shoulder function, and regain confidence in your body. Join Dr. Kristen Knowles, Emergency Medicine physician and breast cancer survivor, and Alessandra Politi, occupational therapist, and breast cancer rehabilitation and lymphedema specialist, as they guide you through a safe, evidence-informed full-body workout created specifically for breast cancer survivors. In this workout you'll complete: ✅ Gentle dynamic warm-up ✅ Shoulder mobility exercises ✅ Scapular stabilization training ✅ Resistance band strengthening ✅ Rotator cuff exercises ✅ Core activation ✅ Glute and hip strengthening ✅ Posture-focused movements ✅ Functional upper body strengthening Equipment Needed • Resistance band • Light dumbbells (1–5 lbs or as tolerated) • Small towel (optional) • Stable door for band exercises This workout focuses on rebuilding the foundation for healthy movement by strengthening the muscles that support your shoulders, upper back, core, and posture. Every exercise includes cues and modifications so you can work at the level that's right for you. This program may be appropriate for individuals recovering from: Mastectomy Breast reconstruction (implant or DIEP flap) Lumpectomy Breast cancer treatment Chemotherapy-related deconditioning Radiation-related stiffness Always obtain clearance from your surgeon or oncology team before beginning an exercise program after breast cancer treatment. Stop exercising if you experience increasing pain, swelling, dizziness, wound concerns, or other symptoms that concern you. This is Week 1 of our complete 12-Week Breast Cancer Recovery Series, designed to progressively improve strength, mobility, posture, and confidence while helping you return to the activities you love. 👍 If this workout helped you, please Like, Subscribe, and share it with someone recovering from breast cancer surgery. #BreastCancerRecovery #MastectomyRecovery #BreastReconstruction #BreastCancerExercises #CancerRehab #Lymphedema #ShoulderMobility #StrengthTraining #CancerSurvivor #OccupationalTherapy #PhysicalTherapy #OutsideTheDocBox