Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics, 2025, Vol.13, No.6, 275-286 http://medscipublisher.com/index.php/cge 279 content (Marakai et al., 2025; Yao et al., 2025). Integrating exercise into daily life and providing continuous support can help patients restore their functions to the greatest extent and improve their quality of life (Alkilil et al., 2025; Rodrigues et al., 2025). 4.3 Physical therapy: pressure therapy, manual lymphatic drainage, etc Physical therapy methods, especially pressure therapy and manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), are important means to deal with existing lymphedema. Pressure clothing such as elastic sleeves and elastic bandages can promote the return of lymph fluid, reduce the accumulation of fluid in the arms, and thereby alleviate swelling. Many studies and clinical guidelines recognize the role of stress therapy in alleviating lymphedema and improving arm mobility. However, its effect on reducing arm volume varies among different studies (Munoz-Alcaraz et al., 2023; Rafn et al., 2023; Apkhanova et al., 2024). One of the important responsibilities of nurses is to guide patients to wear and maintain these pressure products correctly and replace them on time to ensure the therapeutic effect (Choi and Chang, 2024; Jahan et al., 2025). Other adjunctive treatment methods, such as intermittent pneumatic compression, kinesiology patches, low-energy laser therapy and virtual reality training, have also shown certain helpful effects, especially when combined with multi-departmental combined treatment, the effect is more obvious (Rafn et al., 2023; Giron et al., 2025; Mohammed and Ahmed, 2025). Nurses play a core role in these treatments, responsible for coordinating various treatment methods, observing changes in patients' conditions, and continuously conducting health science popularization to help patients better cooperate with the treatment and reduce obstacles encountered during the treatment process. 5 Rehabilitation Path Tracking and Full-Process Management 5.1 Staged rehabilitation pathways: early, middle, and long-term For postoperative breast cancer patients, staged rehabilitation is particularly important and can also help reduce complications such as lymphedema of the ipsilateral upper limb. In the early stage of rehabilitation, the key is to do a good job in health science popularization, identify risks and engage in light activities to prevent arm stiffness and promote lymph fluid flow. At this stage, formulating personalized exercise plans for patients, combined with explanations of relevant knowledge about lymphedema and guidance on self-care methods, can effectively improve upper limb function and reduce the incidence of lymphedema (Alkilil et al., 2025). Meanwhile, attention should also be paid to wound care, pain relief and psychological comfort to meet the needs of patients in the early postoperative period (Rodrigues et al., 2025; Yang et al., 2023). In the middle stage of rehabilitation, the rehabilitation plan will be upgraded on the basis of the early stage, adding more systematic and regular training, such as strength training, standardized lymph node swelling reduction treatment, and health science popularization will continue to be carried out. Regular examination and timely adjustment of rehabilitation content are of great significance for adapting to changes in patients' conditions and avoiding chronic problems (Rodrigues et al., 2023; Wu et al., 2025). When it comes to the long-term rehabilitation stage, the focus of work shifts to maintaining the existing rehabilitation effect, enhancing the patient's self-management ability, and paying attention to whether there is delayed lymphedema or other postoperative problems. Adhering to follow-up visits and regular reexaminations can help patients maintain their quality of life and independent activity ability. Some studies suggest that applying digital health technology and remote rehabilitation to long-term management can make rehabilitation effects more lasting and effective (Figure 1) (Yao et al., 2025). 5.2 Multidisciplinary collaboration and personalized management The treatment of lymphedema caused by breast cancer requires the joint efforts of multiple disciplines. The team members involved include rehabilitation nurses, physical therapists, oncologists, surgical medical staff and psychological counselors. The cooperation of people from different specialties enables patients to receive continuous care from preoperative preparation, risk screening, postoperative rehabilitation to long-term follow-up (Onazi et al., 2025). The multidisciplinary team can also help formulate exclusive plans, fully considering the
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