Research suggests exercise is safe for breast cancer patients at risk for lymphedema
https://www.facingourrisk.org/XRAY/exercise-and-lymphedema
Full article: https://ascopubs.org/doi/abs/10.1200/JCO.2017.35.5_suppl.104
Patients and health care providers are often concerned about how exercise affects lymphedema (swelling in the arm or hand) in breast cancer survivors or other women who have had lymph node biopsy at the time of mastectomy. Research on this topic has been mixed. A new study suggests that exercise after breast cancer treatment does not lead to lymphedema or worsen existing lymphedema. However, because this study was small, more work needs to be done to understand the relationship between exercise and lymphedema in cancer survivors. (2/22/17)
Questions To Ask Your Health Care Provider
- I recently completed breast cancer treatment; am I ready for an exercise program?
- I had breast surgery to treat breast cancer; what types of exercises are right for me?
- Am I at risk for lymphedema after breast surgery or radiation?
- What are the symptoms of lymphedema?
- What should I do if I notice swelling in my arm or hand?
- Are there ways to reduce the adverse symptoms of lymphedema?
Open Clinical Trials
The following are studies are looking at prevention or treatment of lymphedema.
- NCT01521741: Prospective Analysis of Symptoms and Lymphedema in Patients Following Treatment for Breast Cancer. The objective of this study is to determine the level of symptoms, functional disability, and changes in quality of life that breast cancer patients experience from changes in their arm(s) during and after treatment for breast cancer.
- NCT01336790: International Lymphatic Disease and Lymphedema Registry. The purpose of the National Lymphatic Disease and Lymphedema Registry is to collect health information in order to study the disease classification, natural history, and impact of Lymphatic Disease, Lymphedema and Related Disorders and its treatments and medical outcomes.
- NCT03861975: Exploring the Efficacy and Feasibility of the LymphaTech Scanner for Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema Screening. This research will assess arm edema using the LymphaTech Scanner, and a comprehensive self-report questionnaire in patients who have been diagnosed with invasive breast cancer or DCIS.
- NCT04241341: Does Immediate Lymphatic Reconstruction Decrease the Risk of Lymphedema After Axillary Lymph Node Dissection? The researchers are doing this study to see if having immediate lymphatic reconstruction after axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) can decrease the development of lymphedema, a side effect of ALND.
Visit our Featured Research Page and Research Search and Enroll Tool to find additional studies enrolling people with, or at high risk for cancer.
About FORCE
FORCE is a national nonprofit organization, established in 1999. Our mission is to improve the lives of individuals and families affected by adult hereditary cancers.