Breast cancer patients in Sweden face rehabilitation gaps

Advocates are calling for rehabilitation to become a standardized part of breast cancer care in Sweden. While medical treatments are successfully saving lives, many survivors are left to manage long-term side effects—such as pain, fatigue, lymphedema, and cognitive issues—without adequate support.

In the Gävleborg region, 76 percent of patients reported that they were not offered rehabilitation. Experts cite a lack of specialized competence, insufficient resources, and poor transition protocols between specialist and primary care as major barriers.

While the Swedish government has launched a national strategy for rehabilitation and habilitation for 2026–2030, patient advocates emphasize that specialized cancer rehabilitation teams and continuous support for those with metastatic disease must be prioritized to ensure long-term quality of life and workforce participation.