Well Beyond Breast Cancer

Home
United States
New York, NY
Well Beyond Breast Cancer

Everyone should have the opportunity to live well beyond breast cancer.

08/24/2026

If you’re taking hormone therapy, particularly an aromatase inhibitor, your risk of bone loss can increase over time because estrogen plays an important role in maintaining strong, healthy bones.

Exercise is one of the best ways to support bone health. However, not all exercises have the same effect on your bones.

Bones respond to load. Weight-bearing and resistance exercises place healthy stress on the skeleton, which signals your body to maintain or build bone.

In this video, Berfin, an oncology physical therapist, demonstrates 3 safe exercises:

1️⃣ Squats: Stand with your feet about hip-width apart. Keep your chest lifted as you bend your knees and push your hips back, as if sitting onto a chair. Press through your heels to return to standing. Start with body weight, then gradually add dumbbells as you get stronger. Begin with 2–3 sets of 6–8 reps.

2️⃣ Step-Ups: Place one foot on a sturdy step and drive through your heel to step up. As you come to standing, bring the opposite knee up toward 90°, like a marching position. Slowly lower back down with control. Complete 2–3 sets of 8–10 reps, either finishing all reps on one side before switching or alternating legs.

3️⃣ Farmer’s Carry: Hold a dumbbell or kettlebell in each hand with your shoulders relaxed and posture tall. Walk at a comfortable pace, keeping your core engaged and avoiding leaning to either side. Start with lighter weights and gradually increase the load as your strength improves.

A few important reminders:
✔️ Start with a weight that feels manageable while maintaining good form.
✔️ Progress gradually over time; your bones and muscles need time to adapt.
✔️ Focus on controlled movement and steady breathing rather than lifting heavier too quickly.

If you have osteoporosis or bone metastases, check with your healthcare team or an oncology rehab therapist before beginning a new exercise program.

For individualized guidance, we strongly recommend working with a therapist specialized in Breast Cancer Rehabilitation.

💜 Save these exercises.

💜 Share these exercises to help other survivors.

08/13/2026

Are you a PT or OT specializing in breast cancer rehabilitation and/or lymphedema therapy?

We want survivors and previvors to be able to find you.

Join the WBBC Oncology Therapist Directory today.

Because this is about more than simply adding your name to a list.

It’s about helping someone find answers when they’ve been told to simply live with the pain, tightness, swelling, weakness, or changes in their body.

It’s about connecting survivors and previvors with specialized care sooner.

It’s about expanding access to breast cancer rehabilitation, so everyone affected by breast cancer has the opportunity to improve their quality of life.

💜 Comment “directory” and we’ll send you a link where you can learn more and join.

Know an incredible PT or OT specializing in breast cancer rehabilitation or lymphedema care? Tag them below or share this post with them.

Together, we can close the gap between needing specialized care and actually finding it.

08/11/2026

Our Annual Cocktail Party returns to New York City on November 17! ✨

As our only fundraising event of the year, this special evening brings together friends, survivors, previvors, healthcare professionals, industry leaders, and supporters for a night of celebration and impact.

Dollars raised fuel life-changing appointments of Breast Cancer Rehabilitation, ensuring more individuals can reclaim their quality of life during, after, and well beyond breast cancer.

💜 Save the date - tickets available soon!

08/01/2026

New Podcast Episode! 🎉

In this episode, Aura Skigen, a breast cancer previvor, Physical Therapist, and Certified Pilates Instructor, discusses her personal journey navigating a BRCA1 diagnosis and prophylactic surgeries.

Aura shares the emotional weight of living with a genetic predisposition, the personal decisions involved in choosing preventive surgery, and how a strong support system can make a meaningful difference throughout the process.

She also opens up about the realities of recovery, including both the physical and emotional challenges she was not fully prepared for, and how intentional movement and background in physical therapy played a role in her recovery process.

Listen to episode 5 of the Well Beyond Breast Cancer Podcast today!

🎧 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

07/29/2026

Listen to episode 4 of the Well Beyond Breast Cancer Podcast today!

In this episode, Allie Brumel and Trish Michelle from Breasties® share how community, connection, and peer support can transform the cancer experience.

Together, they discuss why life after breast cancer is not simply about “getting back to normal,” and how community can become a powerful source of support, information, healing, and hope.

🎧 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

07/27/2026

If you’ve noticed your shoulder blade “winging” or lifting away from your ribs, you are not alone.

A winged scapula can occur after breast cancer treatment due to changes in the muscles and nerves that help control your shoulder blade.

Your shoulder blade plays an important role in helping your arm move efficiently. When the muscles that stabilize it are affected, you may notice:
✨ Difficulty lifting your arm overhead
✨ Shoulder weakness or fatigue
✨ Changes in posture
✨ Your shoulder doesn’t move the way it used to

Your body can adapt and become stronger with the right exercises.

In this video, Berfin, an oncology Physical Therapist, demonstrates 3 exercises that focus on scapular control and stability: 
1️⃣ Supine Scapular Punch: Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Extend both arms toward the ceiling with your hands directly above your shoulders. Keeping your elbows straight, “punch” your hands toward the ceiling, allowing your shoulder blades to lift off the floor. Pause for 1–2 seconds, then lower your shoulder blades back onto the floor. Repeat 8-10x for 2-3 sets.
 2️⃣ Wall Scapular Push-Up: Stand facing a wall with your hands placed slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. Step your feet back so your body forms a straight or gently inclined line. Keeping your elbows straight, allow your chest to move toward the wall as your shoulder blades come together. Then, push the wall away and spread your shoulder blades apart. Repeat 8-10x, 2-3 sets.
 3️⃣ Quadruped Scapular Punch: Begin on your hands and knees with your hands under your shoulders and your knees under your hips. Keep your spine neutral and gently engage your core. Without bending your elbows, allow your chest to move slightly toward the floor as your shoulder blades come closer together. Then, push the floor away and allow your shoulder blades to spread apart. Repeat 8-10x, 2-3 sets.

For individualized exercises, we highly recommend working with an oncology PT or OT.

💜 Save these exercises.
💜 Share to help others in their recovery.

07/23/2026

Recovery after breast cancer can feel overwhelming, especially when you are left navigating pain, limited movement, swelling, and changes in your body without clear guidance.

Today, we are honored to share the words of a breast cancer survivor who found hope, strength, and a renewed sense of self by working with a physical therapist specializing in Breast Cancer Rehabilitation.

“I am a breast cancer survivor, and after my mastectomy, I felt completely lost.

I didn’t know if I would ever feel like myself again. My entire being had changed.

I lost the ability to move the arm affected by my mastectomy, developed lymphedema, and honestly wasn’t sure if I would ever get back to doing the things I loved.

So I did my research and learned that specialized oncology physical therapy could help.

Taking that first step changed everything.

Since I started working with my oncology physical therapist, the way I see myself has completely changed.

I have regained so much movement in my arm, my confidence continues to grow, and I am learning to love and trust my body again, one day at a time.

Healing isn’t just about getting your movement back, it’s about finding yourself again.

Don’t ever give up hope! “

Whether you are newly diagnosed, undergoing active treatment, or years into survivorship, your recovery deserves care.

Breast Cancer Rehabilitation can help reduce treatment-related side effects, improve your quality of life, and help you get back to the moments that matter most.

At Well Beyond Breast Cancer, we are committed to ensuring that every breast cancer survivor and previvor has access to this life-changing care.

07/13/2026

Upper back stiffness is common after breast cancer surgery, reconstruction, and radiation.

When this area becomes tight, you may have difficulty turning your body, reaching overhead, standing fully upright, or taking a comfortable deep breath.

Gentle movement can help restore mobility through your upper back, making everyday activities feel easier.

⭐️ Here, Caitha, an Occupational Therapist specialized in Breast Cancer Rehabilitation, demonstrates two gentle seated exercises to improve upper back mobility and tightness.

1️⃣ Seated Cat-Cow: Sit toward the front of a chair with your feet flat on the floor and your hands resting on your thighs. As you inhale, gently lift your chest, straighten your upper back, and look slightly upward. As you exhale, round your upper back, tuck your chin, and gently draw your belly inward. Move slowly between each position and repeat 10x.

2️⃣ Seated Thoracic Rotation: Sit tall with your feet flat on the floor and bring your hands behind your head. Keeping your hips facing forward, gently rotate your upper body to one side as far as feels comfortable. Return to the center, then rotate to the opposite side. Repeat 10x on each side.

These exercises should feel gentle and comfortable. Avoid forcing the movement or pushing into pain.

For individualized exercises, we always recommend working with a Physical or Occupational Therapist specialized in Breast Cancer Rehabilitation.

💜 Save these exercises.
💜 Share to help others in their recovery.

07/09/2026

We’ve hit a major milestone! 🎉

We are so proud to share that we have officially funded 200 Breast Cancer Rehabilitation appointments through our Financial Assistance Program.

With the help of our incredible community, we have pledged over $42,000 toward direct patient care, helping more breast cancer survivors and previvors access care that would otherwise be out of reach.

Every appointment represents someone moving with less pain, regaining strength, and beginning to feel more like themselves again.

To everyone who has donated, partnered with us, or believed in our mission: thank you so much for helping make this care possible.

Together, we can improve the quality of life of those affected by breast cancer.

💜 Learn more about our mission and how you can help by clicking the link in our bio.

Photo: A Breast Cancer Rehabilitation session at , one of WBBC’s trusted partners helping us expand access to specialized care in NYC.

07/03/2026

PINCH US! We have our very own bracelet! 🎉💜

And we are so excited to finally share it with you!

“Well Beyond” is a reminder that there is joy, life, and healing beyond the hardest chapters we face.

This bracelet honors anyone finding their way forward after something difficult, while helping those affected by breast cancer access the specialized care they need to heal, rebuild, and live well beyond breast cancer.

$5 from every bracelet sold is donated to WBBC.

This is more than a bracelet.

It is hope you can wear.
Support you can share. And care you can help make possible.

Get one for yourself and gift one to someone you love.

Shop our Well Beyond bracelet today - link in our bio.

Available for a limited time only.

Address

286 Madison Avenue, Suite 1601
New York, NY
10017

Telephone

+19299207740

Website

http://www.wellbeyondbreastcancer.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Well Beyond Breast Cancer posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Well Beyond Breast Cancer:

Featured

Heart River Center for Intuitive Healing

Want your organization to be the top-listed Non Profit Organization in New York?