Alumni Research and Legacy Materials

I. Anatomy: Breast and Thorax (Images) 

This section provides anatomy reference images covering areas most commonly affected by breast and chest surgery. These resources are intended for ongoing review and clinical support, serving as a convenient reference for practicing professionals. Revisiting them helps refresh anatomical knowledge, reinforce clinical decision-making, and support patient care. 

 Included Image Topics & Downloads: 

1. Breast

• Internal structures, vascular supply, and lymphatic drainage

• Useful for refreshing anatomy related to breast and chest procedures.

Downloads:

Breast - Internal Anatomy

Breast - Lymph Nodes & Lymphatic Flow

Mammary Gland - Arterial Supply

Mammary Gland - Lymph Vessels and Nodes

2. Lymphatic System

• Lymph vessels, nodes, and drainage pathways

• Supports understanding of post-surgical fluid movement and assessment.

Download:

Lymphatic System - Overview

3. Thorax & Chest Wall

• Bony thorax, anterior chest wall, and neurovascular structures

• Layered dissections enhance spatial and palpatory understanding.

Downloads:

Thorax - Bony Structures (Rib Cage)

Anterior Thoracic Wall - Overview

Anterior Thoracic Wall - Nerves

4. Neurovascular Anatomy

• Major nerves, arteries, and veins

• Reinforces sensory, motor, and circulatory knowledge for practice.

Downloads:

Anterior Abdominal Wall - Arterial Supply

Anterior Abdominal Wall - Venous Drainage

5. Abdominal Wall (Relevant Cross-Connections)

• Layered anatomy, vascular structures, and fascial planes

• Important for understanding thoracic-abdominal continuity.

Downloads:

Anterior Abdominal Wall - Intermediate Dissection

Anterior Abdominal Wall - Deep Dissection

Rectus Sheath - Cross-Sectional Anatomy 

6. Dermatomes

• Cutaneous nerve distribution maps

• Helpful for assessing sensory changes and post-surgical patterns.

Download:

Dermatomes - Thoracic and Trunk Regions

Anatomy: Body Structures (PDF) 

A concise reference PDF outlining body structures most commonly encountered when working with breast and chest surgery clients. This is a practical refresher based on clinical experience, not an exhaustive anatomy course. Alumni may download and revisit at any time. 

Download the PDF

II.  Patient Intake, Assessment & Treatment Resources

 This section provides practical forms, assessment tools, and treatment technique references commonly used when working with breast and chest surgery patients. The materials are designed to support thorough intake, informed clinical decision-making, and consistent documentation throughout the course of care.

These resources may be used for ongoing review and clinical support, helping practitioners gather relevant patient information, assess post-surgical changes, track functional outcomes, and apply appropriate treatment techniques. Together, they serve as a convenient reference to enhance confidence, continuity, and quality of patient care.

. 1. Intake Forms

• Body Parts to Work On: Allows patients to indicate areas they consent to be treated.

• Symptoms: Helps capture relevant clinical information before treatment.

Downloads:

Body Parts Checklist

Symptoms Checklist

2. History Questions: Breast Cancer & Top Surgery Patients

• Offers a list of intake questions to guide patient history-taking for breast cancer and trans/non-binary top surgery patients.

• Use as a reference for thorough charting and informed care.

Download Here

3. Round the Clock Assessment (PDF)

• Tool for mapping scar tissue, swelling, and areas of discomfort on the breast.

• Useful for charting and tracking post-surgical changes.

Download Here

4. Treatment Techniques (PDF)

• Provides a practical reference of frequently used treatment techniques with breast and chest surgery patients.

• Serves as a starting point or refresher and can be supplemented by your own experience.

Download Here

5. DASH Questionnaire

• It is a validated patient-reported outcome measure used to assess functional ability and disability related to the upper limbs.

• Use to evaluate what your patients can do with their arms and hands, guiding treatment planning and progress tracking.

Download Here

III.  Clinical Reasoning & Documentation for Breast & Chest Surgery (Videos) 

The videos provide practical, clinically focused guidance for working with breast and chest surgery patients. The videos support practitioners in developing confidence with patient history-taking, assessment, clinical reasoning, documentation, and communication.

Content includes detailed discussions of intake questions, assessment observations and palpation considerations, reflective writing to strengthen consent and clinical language, and charting reminders that support accurate, inclusive, and patient-centered care. Together, these videos serve as an ongoing educational resource to reinforce best practices, deepen clinical insight, and support thoughtful, informed treatment planning.

1. History Questions: Breast Cancer Patients

• Detailed intake questions supporting thorough history-taking and documentation: cancer diagnosis, staging, metastasis, lymphatic/surgical history, chemo/radiation therapy, surgical history, care team, and patient goals.

Watch the video

2. Assessments: What to Look For & Feel For

• Clinical refresher video on assessment considerations including observable patterns, palpatory findings, postural changes, and special tests.

Watch the video

3. Writing Practice & Clinical Reflection

• Reflective prompts to revisit consent language, assessment thinking, and clinical communication, supporting ongoing professional growth. Examples include:

  • How do you ask for consent to examine the chest or breasts?
  • What language do you use when requesting therapeutic images?
  • Common post-surgical findings and movement patterns.

Watch the video

4. Charting – Extra Thoughts

• Important reminders for charting breast surgery patients:

  • Type of surgery
  • Medical treatments (chemotherapy, radiation dates)
  • Number of cancer diagnoses/treatments
  • Hormonal considerations (HRT, menopause, feminizing/masculinizing hormones)
  • Gender considerations (legal status, pronouns)
  • Capturing meaningful aspects of patient stories to support personalized care and treatment planning 

Watch the video

IV.  Clinical Research in Breast Surgery, Recovery & Rehabilitation

This section compiles key clinical research related to breast surgery and post-operative recovery, with a focus on rehabilitation, massage therapy, and patient outcomes. Topics include surgical techniques and complications, pain and mobility, immune and neurological effects, lymphedema and fascial health, implant-related concerns, and psychosocial aspects of recovery.

The resources support evidence-informed practice and provide a research-based foundation for clinicians working with breast and chest surgery patients.

1. Mastectomy & Breast Surgery Foundations

(History, techniques, reconstruction, augmentation)

• Evolution of Mastectomy Surgery
• Surgical types: breast reconstruction with autologous tissue following mastectomy
• Influence of breast augmentation on prognosis of breast cancer diagnosis
• Placement of breast implant relative to cancer risk
• ABSTRACT: Breast augmentation for the Transfemale patient
• Bornstein explant technique outlined
• ADM – Acellular Dermal Matrix (mesh)

2. Massage Therapy & Oncology Outcomes

(Clinical evidence, symptom management, recovery support)

• Massage Therapy Research Review
• ABSTRACT: Effect of massage therapy for postsurgical mastectomy recipients
• Massage Therapy for Cancer Patients
• Massage can improve cancer-related fatigue
• Massage therapy on pain after thoracic surgery
• ABSTRACT: Massage as useful for overcoming venous congestion and improving flap outcomes

3. Pain, Mobility & Functional Recovery

(Chronic pain, range of motion, functional assessment tools)

• Myofascial Massage for Chronic Pain and Decreased Upper Extremity Mobility After Breast Cancer Surgery
• Chronic pain incidents in breast surgery patients
• Post-mastectomy Pain Syndrome – how do you know what’s what?
• Postoperative Complications & Sequelae overview

4. Immune, Neurological & Systemic Effects of Massage

(Physiological and biochemical outcomes)

• ABSTRACT: NATURAL KILLER CELLS AND LYMPHOCYTES INCREASE IN WOMEN WITH BREAST CANCER FOLLOWING MASSAGE THERAPY

• Breast cancer patients have improved immune and neuroendocrine functions following massage therapy

• Effects of Swedish Massage on the Improvement of Mood Disorders in Women with Breast Cancer undergoing Radiotherapy

• Prevention of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy with classical massage in breast cancer patients receiving paclitaxel: An assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial

5. Lymphedema, Circulation & Fascial Health

(MLD, fascia, vascular considerations)

• MLD for BCRL

• Understanding the Process of Fascial Unwinding

• Blurred lines between Mondor’s Disease and AWS

6. Surgical Complications & Imaging

(Clinical risks, case studies, diagnostics)

• Necrosis – frequency after nipple-sparing mastectomy

• Seroma – MRI image

• Hematoma – case study reports

7.  Implants, Explant & Systemic Concerns

(Implant-related conditions and outcomes)

• Breast Implant Illness

• Bornstein explant technique outlined (also in Section 1)

8.  Psychosocial, Body Image & Quality of Life

(Identity, sexuality, mental health, survivorship)

• Impact of Mastectomy on Body Image and Sexuality from an LGBTQ Perspective

• Managing body image difficulties of adult cancer patients: Lessons from available research

• Quality of life with post-op complications for UK patients