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Limited exercise for PICC?

Page last modified on: October 7, 2008

Question from Cor: What specific exercise limitations are there with a PICC (peripherally inserted central catheter) line? I was told watch "heavy lifting" and "repetitive movement" but couldn't get any clear answer regarding what that actually meant.: Answer —Julie Gralow, M.D.: The main thing is that you don't want to be doing a bunch of jarring motions that could potentially move the line up and out of the body. Obviously the PICC line is there to make it easier to draw blood and receive the chemotherapy. PICC lines can be put in different places, but they usually come out in the upper or middle arm.

It's a bit of a cop out to say "use common sense," but I would not use that arm vigorously. With a PICC line in place, I wouldn't try to lift. But I would discourage complete disuse of the arm. If you really protect it a whole lot, that would also not be a good thing if the muscle atrophies. I know you were asking for specifics, but just avoid very vigorous activities or things that hurt.

On Wednesday, January 18, 2006, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Physical Activity and Breast Cancer. Miriam Nelson, Ph.D., Julie Gralow, M.D., and moderator Judith Sachs answered your questions about the many issues related to physical activity and breast cancer.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Miriam Nelson, Ph.D. is the author of the international best-sellers Strong Women Stay Young; Strong Women Stay Slim;Strong Women, Strong Bones; and other titles. She is Director of the John Hancock Center for Physical Activity and Nutrition and Associate Professor of Nutrition at the Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University.

Julie Gralow, M.D. is associate professor of medical oncology specializing in breast cancer at the University of Washington and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and director of breast medical oncology at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.

Judith Sachs is a health educator, writer, speaker, and former member of the Breastcancer.org editorial team.