Dr Emma O’Loughlin, Senior Lecturer in Surgery at the University of Otago, has shared a new set of post-operative exercise videos designed for women recovering from breast cancer surgery in Aotearoa New Zealand. They support recovery after mastectomy, lumpectomy, and lymph node surgery.
These short, supportive videos were co-designed with Māori, Pacific, and non-Māori/non-Pacific women, based on interviews and focus groups about their recovery experiences and preferences for online content. They offer safe, practical, and culturally relevant guidance to support shoulder mobility, reduce the risk of lymphoedema, and promote confidence during recovery. They would suit patients from week 1 post-op (also safe for those with drains).
The videos are freely available on YouTube. Emma and her team have created four versions of the same exercise video, for four different groups of women:
1. English video https://youtu.be/GkxsaW_BtFA?si=kFChdFpmRdFRI2kR
2. Te Reo Māori video for Māori women https://youtu.be/ZF8DEabDY1I?si=c55qJ7cMoPUWv2uM
3. English video for Pacific women https://youtu.be/iz4aCk9hVGo?si=Pk6Fwf7ftO6pGmdA
4. Samoan language video for Pacific women https://youtu.be/cPVLeYAnm80?si=YBZAYEjt8ov57xe5
These resources have been endorsed by the Breast Cancer Foundation NZ, Cancer Society NZ, and Te Whatu Ora, and are intended to complement existing clinical care.
23 August 2025
