Enhance Breast cancer rehabilitation program
Epworth’s breast cancer rehabilitation program aims to support you through the physical, functional and emotional needs that may arise as a result of your cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Who is the program for?
The Enhance program is designed for anyone diagnosed with breast cancer who is preparing for treatment/surgery, is undergoing treatment or has completed treatment/surgery.
What’s involved in the program?
Before you begin you’ll receive three, one-hour appointments to meet with our clinicians for a medical, psychosocial and physical assessment to identify your individual goals and needs. This is conducted over two days.
Following this, the program will begin and you will attend our hospital for two hours every week, for eight weeks.
One hour will comprise of an exercise program to help you restore movement, strength and fitness. The other hour will involve a series of education workshops to help you understand and manage a variety of aspects associated with treatment including fatigue, pain, emotional wellbeing, body image, self-esteem, work or family challenges, relationships and late onset of side-effects.
If required, you will also be connected with local services and supports on completion of the program.
Who delivers the program?
You’ll be guided through the program by a multidisciplinary Epworth team comprising a rehabilitation physician, breast care nurse, psychologist, social worker, occupational therapist, exercise physiologist, dietician and physiotherapist. You will also be assigned a case coordinator who will be in contact regularly to ensure your needs are being met throughout the program.
Where is the program located?
The oncology group rehabilitation program is available at Epworth Camberwell and Epworth Hawthorn.
What if this group program is not suitable for me?
Our team can offer individual programs available at all Epworth Rehabilitation locations. Group and individual programs are also available to support other cancer streams.
Referrals and more information
A referral from a GP or specialist is required to participate. Our clinicians will liaise with your referring doctor/treatment throughout the program.
Ask your doctor to complete the referral form at www.epworth.org.au/rehab and return it to us via fax: 03 9982 6696 or email: [email protected]
For any questions please phone: 1300 345 600.