Three million people in the U.S. are affected by lymphedema. Often times, it is believed that exercise induces or worsens lymphedema. However, after reviewing the literature, researchers say the exercise benefits outweigh the risks for breast cancer survivors and patients with lymphedema.
A professor in the Sinclair School of Nursing, Jane Armer, says patients at risk for lymphedema can exercise if they closely monitor their activities.
“Exercise can be beneficial and not harmful for breast cancer survivors,” Armer said. “Each individual should balance the pros and cons of the activity she chooses, but keep in mind that being sedentary has risks and being active is beneficial in many ways, including possibly reducing the risk of cancer recurrence.”
Lymphedema is most often caused by the removal or radiation of lymph nodes as part of the treatment process, yet it can occur any time after cancer treatment. Armer found that there was no greater risk for developing lymphedema in patients who exercise compared to those who do not exercise. Moreover, patients with lymphedema did not aggravate their condition by exercising. Armer adds that determining whether exercise prevents lymphedema will require further research.
“Breast cancer survivors do not need to restrict their activity as we once thought,” Armer said. “If patients want to be active, they should carefully condition their bodies by increasing repetitions of resistance exercises under proper supervision.”
Source: University of Missouri.