Research reveals 73% of Polish women face significant barriers accessing rehabilitation following breast cancer operations.
Access Problems for Breast Cancer Rehabilitation
A MasteCare study with physiotherapist Monika Dziedzic found 73% of women post-surgery encounter substantial obstacles to rehabilitation. Common barriers include specialist waitlists, limited public facility spots, private visit costs, and transportation difficulties. Many patients abandon regular exercises due to pain, lack of guidance, or concerns about improper technique.
Importance of Post-Mastectomy Physiotherapy
Rehabilitation after breast cancer surgery is essential for restoring upper limb function, reducing lymphedema risk, and minimizing complications. However, systematic support is often time-limited, with patients receiving only a few visits insufficient to establish proper movement habits. Continuity of care after hospital discharge is also lacking.
Oncological Recovery Barriers: Queues and Support Gaps
Psychologist Janusz Gall, working with Grzegorz Pawłowski, highlighted these challenges. Experts note women need not just physiotherapy but also clear instructions for home exercises and psychological support throughout their recovery period.
MasteCare App: Modern Home Rehabilitation Support
The MasteCare mobile application addresses these issues, designed specifically for women post-breast cancer surgery. Its creators stress it complements rather than replaces traditional rehabilitation while increasing accessibility. The app includes recovery-stage exercise programs, range-of-motion instructions, and reminder systems to maintain training consistency.
Developed by Grzegorz Pawłowski and Tetiana Kroll, who met during PARP’s “Start-ups Are Us” program, the application is currently incubating at Kielce Technology Park, with several Polish hospitals interested in implementing it.
Public Health Challenge: Lack of Continuous Oncology Support
Experts point out the fundamental issue: many Polish breast cancer patients lack guaranteed, accessible rehabilitation support. With rising case numbers and an overburdened healthcare system, improving rehabilitation accessibility has become a critical public health challenge.
