How You Can Reduce Your Risk
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If you’ve beaten breast cancer, you’re probably ready to get back to your pre-treatment routine. But for some, the long-term side effects of breast cancer treatment can creep up, one of them being lymphedema, a condition that causes pain and swelling in the breast, chest, or underarm, and affects 15 to 40 percent of people following treatment, according to a study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Lymphedema happens when lymph fluid, a clear substance that carries waste and other toxins throughout a network of vessels and lymph nodes in your body, can’t travel through its usual pathways. As the fluid builds up, it can cause pressure, pain, and swelling.
Most lymphedema is cancer related, says Anne Peled, MD, a breast cancer surgeon based in San Francisco. “[It occurs] either from the cancer itself blocking the lymphatic system, and leading to lymphedema, or cancer treatments.”
Breast cancer surgery and radiation treatment are two of the more common ways that healthy lymph nodes can get damaged. Lymphedema can also occur if lymph nodes are removed in the course of treatment. The American Cancer Society (ACS) reports these as the most common lymphedema symptoms:
- Aching, tingling, or numbness in the area that received treatment
- Skin changes, including tightness, hardness, or redness
- Swelling in the breast area
- Trouble moving the arm at the shoulder
Let your provider know if you’re experiencing these symptoms or notice any signs of infection around the area. One type of infection that can develop as a result of lymphedema is cellulitis, which may show up in the form of thickened, red skin that’s hot to the touch and can cause a fever.
Ways You Can Lower Your Lymphedema Risk
No single effort or treatment can guarantee you won’t get lymphedema, according to the ACS, but you can do plenty to decrease your risk.
Keep Your Skin Intact
Your lymph system may help flush out unwanted waste and microscopic invaders, but your skin is your body’s first line of defense against viruses and bacteria. Try to avoid skin infections or injuries, like cuts and burns, to keep this defense system working at max capacity, according to the ACS.
You can do several things to protect your skin, according to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC):
Apply moisturizer daily to maintain your skin’s elasticity. Most skin moisturizers add hydration to your skin, and you can choose from lotions, creams, and ointments. You can experiment with moisturizers to find the one that works best for you, but the American Academy of Dermatology recommends that anyone over age 50 use a cream-based option.
Avoid heating packs. It can be easy to accidentally leave your heating pack on too long and get burned, especially if you have areas of numbness after surgery, according to MSKCC.
Get vaccines and blood drawn on the unaffected arm. Even though the needles should be sterile, the puncture could still provoke a lymphedema episode. Some experts don’t agree with this restriction, especially if you have had surgery on both sides, according to the ACS. When in doubt, ask your healthcare provider.
Stay away from straight razors and chemical creams. When it comes to underarm hair removal, stick to a safety razor for shaving to avoid razor burn or skin irritation.
Use insect repellent to avoid stings or bites. Lymphedema can be triggered by various minor injuries, including bug bites, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Use sunscreen to protect from harsh UV rays. You may not always notice when you’ve been out in the sun too long, so try and make sunscreen application an everyday habit. If you can protect your skin, you may greatly lower your risk of lymphedema and infection.
Wear Loose Clothing
Clothing that squeezes one part of your arm can put pressure on your lymph vessels, create a backup of lymph fluid, and cause swelling in the area, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Avoid tight jewelry and any shirt with snug seams.
This rule does not include compression garments, which are encouraged, according to the ACS. Compression sleeves lower pain and swelling in the arm by applying uniform pressure around the entire arm. This compression encourages lymph fluid to drain and doesn’t allow it to reaccumulate, according to BreastCancer.org.
Maintain a Healthy Diet
One study demonstrated that the higher your level of obesity, the higher your risk for lymphedema. However, it can be difficult to keep up a healthy diet, especially if your appetite hasn’t returned to normal.
If you decide to make diet changes, remember to be kind to yourself and take it slow. As your appetite starts to pick up in the weeks and months following treatment, you can try to incorporate some new habits to help keep lymphedema at bay.
Stay Active
Exercising regularly can be easier said than done, particularly if you’re exhausted from treatment. You can start slowly with a 10-minute walk around the block or stretching while you watch your favorite show.
“I recommend that my patients incorporate basic exercises and stretching into their daily routine, not only to help prevent or control the symptoms of lymphedema, but also to improve whole-person health and overall wellness, which is key before, during, and after a breast cancer diagnosis,” says Monique Gary, DO, breast surgical oncologist.
Although lymphedema has no cure, according to the CDC, you can decrease and prevent its symptoms. Remember to let your healthcare provider know if you notice any swelling or changes to your arm. If you still develop lymphedema after all you’ve done, your healthcare provider can help you decide how to treat it.
“If lymphedema is diagnosed early, it can usually be reversed through conservative measures like compression sleeves, manual lymphatic drainage, and other hands-on therapies from a certified lymphedema therapist,” Dr. Peled says.
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