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October is "International Breast Cancer Awareness Month," not only reminding women to prioritize breast health but also educating the public about the significant challenges faced by breast cancer patients during treatment and recovery. Breast cancer has been one of the most common cancers among women in Hong Kong for several years. According to statistics from the Hong Kong Cancer Registry, there is a noticeable trend towards younger age groups being affected. In addition to the challenges of treatment, patients also encounter physical and psychological adjustments and rebuilding during the postoperative recovery phase, which require professional support.

During this process, the services provided by Nu Pro Nurse Centre, including "specialized nursing services" and "private nursing services," complement each other. The former focuses on clinical aspects of professional treatment monitoring, while the latter offers assistance with daily life and emotional support. The combination of these two services allows patients to receive hospital-level professional care at home.

The Importance of Breast Cancer Prevention: Comprehensive Care from Early Screening to Recovery Nursing

The core of breast cancer prevention goes beyond early detection and timely treatment; it emphasizes a holistic approach from "prevention, treatment, care, to physical and psychological recovery."

Currently, the medical community advocates for the concept of "whole-person treatment," emphasizing that breast cancer patients not only need medical surgeries and drug treatments but also require emotional support, nutritional management, and professional nursing care.

In Hong Kong, postoperative care for breast cancer patients is often overlooked. Many patients, upon discharge after surgery or chemotherapy, face numerous postoperative discomforts and challenges in daily life, such as:

• Wound care and infection risks
• Drain tube cleaning and replacement
• Upper limb swelling and restricted movement
• Fatigue, pain, and psychological anxiety
• Dietary and lifestyle adjustments

Without ongoing professional support, these conditions often affect the speed of recovery and may lead to complications. Therefore, an integrated system of professional medical care and home nursing is crucial for postoperative recovery.

Key Points of Postoperative Breast Cancer Care: From Medical Treatment to Lifestyle Adjustments

1. Wound Care and Infection Control

After breast surgery, whether it's a mastectomy, lumpectomy, or reconstruction, wound care is paramount. The wound must be kept clean, dry, and dressings changed regularly. Home nurses can visit daily to inspect the wound, clean, and change dressings to identify swelling or abnormal leakage early to prevent worsening infection.

2. Lymphedema Prevention

If lymph nodes are removed during surgery, the flow of lymphatic fluid in the patient's arm may be obstructed, leading to swelling. Professional caregivers will teach patients simple arm exercises and assist with Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) to help improve blood and lymph circulation gradually, reducing swelling and pain.

3. Physical and Psychological Recovery

Clinical studies show that postoperative fatigue and emotional anxiety are two major factors affecting recovery. The Nu Pro Nurse Centre team not only provides nursing support but also emphasizes psychological care to help patients establish healthy lifestyle routines, encourage gradual activities, and emotional guidance.

4. Dietary and Nutritional Planning

Postoperative breast cancer patients require sufficient protein for tissue repair, avoiding high-sugar and high-fat diets to reduce the risk of recurrence. Professional nurses will assist in developing personalized dietary plans, combining Eastern and Western nutritional advice to aid quicker recovery.

Clear Role Differentiation: Specialized Nurse vs Private Nursing

In Hong Kong's healthcare system, "specialized nurses" and "private nurses" are both nursing personnel but differ significantly in professional levels and service focuses. To avoid confusion, the following contrasts the roles and service scopes of the two:

Through this professional division of labor, Nu Pro Nurse Centre is able to design a dual-track nursing program for clients:

• Specialized nurses are responsible for clinical nursing and condition monitoring.
• Private nurses are responsible for daily life support and emotional companionship.

In this way, patients can simultaneously receive medical security and meticulous care in their daily lives, forming the most comprehensive home care connection.

Four, Key Points of Specialized Nursing Services

1. Specialized Wound Care and Drainage Tube Monitoring
   Wound infection is one of the major risks after breast cancer surgery. Specialized nurses can visit daily to check the wound, clean and change dressings, monitor for abnormal fluid leakage, temperature, or signs of inflammation, and promptly report to physicians for treatment.

2. Lymphatic Drainage and Edema Management
   Many postoperative breast cancer patients experience lymphedema issues. Trained nurses will utilize Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) techniques and teach simple exercises to improve circulation and reduce swelling.

3. Clinical Health Monitoring
   Nurses will regularly monitor clinical data such as blood pressure, body temperature, pulse, and nutritional intake to assist the attending physician in tracking recovery progress.

Five, Key Points of Private Nursing Services

1. Daily Living Care
   Assisting with bathing, dressing, meal preparation, and mobility support to enable patients to live independently in a safe environment.

2. Physical and Emotional Support
   In addition to physical care, private nurses emphasize companionship and listening, assisting patients in addressing postoperative anxiety and confidence issues.

3. Recovery Activity Assistance
   Following nurse guidance, assisting patients in simple exercise practices such as arm stretches and posture correction to ensure correct movement and prevent strain on wounds.

Six, Integrated Home Care Model

Nu Pro Nurse Centre implements an "integrated home care" model that combines specialized nurses and private nursing teams to form a complete recovery network:

• Specialized nurses handle clinical nursing and health monitoring.
• Private nurses provide daily care and emotional support.
• The team communicates closely, adjusting nursing plans promptly based on actual conditions.

This dual-track structure ensures that patients receive comprehensive protection in both physiological and psychological aspects throughout the entire recovery process.

Seven, Five Key Professional Guidelines for Postoperative Recovery

1. Establishing Regular Daily Routines
   The first month after surgery is a crucial recovery period where sufficient rest and a consistent routine can aid in immune recovery. Nurses from Nu Pro Nurse Centre will assist in creating a daily schedule to establish a healthy rhythm.

2. Moderate Exercise and Rehabilitation
   Professional nurses will teach simple upper limb exercises to aid shoulder joint movement and prevent stiffness, while also improving circulation and reducing swelling. Activities should be gradually increased to avoid excessive fatigue.

3. Emotional Support and Psychological Rebuilding
   Emotional fluctuations are common post breast cancer surgery. The nursing team engages in regular conversations with patients, providing listening and psychological comfort to help them gradually overcome anxiety. Referral to a professional psychologist may be recommended if necessary.

4. Family Support and Education
   Nu Pro Nurse Centre not only cares for the patient but also supports the family. Nurses will instruct family members on how to assist with daily care tasks such as adjusting diet, helping with dressing, and lymphatic massages, making family support more comprehensive.

5. Medical Monitoring and Condition Surveillance
   Home nurses will regularly record data such as blood pressure, body temperature, wound healing conditions, etc., and maintain communication with the attending physician. Immediate action will be taken upon detecting potential abnormalities, such as increased redness or pain at the wound site.

Eight, Patient Story: From Anxiety to Rebirth in the Recovery Journey

Case Study: Mrs. Chen (pseudonym), 49 years old, discharged after undergoing partial breast removal surgery.
Mrs. Chen was diagnosed with breast cancer a year ago and underwent partial breast removal surgery as advised by her doctor. During the early postoperative period, she faced multiple difficulties—wound pain, upper arm swelling, extreme emotional anxiety, and even a decrease in self-image.

Clinical Support from Specialized Nurses
After discharge, specialized nurses from Nu Pro Nurse Centre visited her daily to change dressings and care for drainage tubes. The nurse carefully examined the wound for fluid color and swelling, demonstrating correct postures and waterproof care methods. After a week, the wound condition stabilized.

Starting in the third week, the nurse provided lymphatic drainage therapy and shoulder movement training, gradually helping Mrs. Chen regain arm flexibility and significantly reduce pain.

Life and Emotional Support from Private Nurses
Simultaneously, the center arranged for a private nurse to accompany Mrs. Chen at home for four hours every day, assisting with meals, daily exercise, and providing psychological counseling. The nurse provided attentive care, conversing with Mrs. Chen about her fears and helping her rebuild confidence in life.

Additionally, under the guidance of the nurse, the private nurse educated Mrs. Chen's family on how to assist her with upper limb activities and observe changes in the wound. Once the family learned the correct procedures, they actively engaged in exercising together and adjusting dietary habits. This family involvement made Mrs. Chen feel supported and loved, no longer facing the loneliness of recovery alone.

After three months, Mrs. Chen was able to resume basic household chores and engage in social activities. She expressed her gratitude, saying:

"The team at Nu Pro Nurse Centre made me realize that recovery is not just about medical care but also about companionship and trust. The specialized nurse provided me with clinical security, while the private nurse gave me the strength to live. What's even more precious is that my family learned to take care of me, and we walked this journey together."

This patient's experience demonstrates the power of combining clinical expertise with life companionship, turning recovery into a joint family journey.

Nine, Family Education and Care Training
Nu Pro Nurse Centre emphasizes not only "doing things for the patient" but also "teaching family members how to care." Through home demonstrations and simple education, the team helps families build confidence in caregiving:

• How to clean and observe wounds
• Instruction on lymphatic massage techniques
• Guidance on dietary and nutrition pairing
• Emotional support and communication skills

These practical training sessions allow family members to become more involved in the patient's recovery journey, reducing psychological burdens and enhancing overall family cohesion.

Ten, Professional Nursing x Family Support
Postoperative care for breast cancer requires not only medical expertise but also a blend of professionalism and personalized continuous care. Nu Pro Nurse Centre combines the clinical expertise of specialized nurses with the professional support of private nurses to create a comprehensive care solution tailored for the home recovery environment in Hong Kong.

Whether it's postoperative wound care, lymphatic drainage, emotional support, or assistance with daily activities, the team upholds "safety, empathy, meticulousness" as core values, accompanying patients to emerge from darkness and regain their smiles. Every post-breast cancer surgery patient can safely recover at home and regain health and confidence.