Risk of lymphedema from flying?
Meet the Experts
Kathryn Schmitz, Ph.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.S.M. is assistant professor in the Division of Clinical Epidemiology at the University of Pennsylvania and adjunct associate professor in the Division of Epidemiology at the University of Minnesota.
Nicole Stout Gergich M.P.T., C.L.T.-L.A.N.A. is a physical therapist and lymphedema specialist at the Breast Care Center at the National Naval Medical Center. She is also the president of the Oncology Section of the American Physical Therapy Association, and has previously served on the Medical Advisory Board and research committee for the National Lymphedema Network.
Jennifer Sabol, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a breast surgeon who directs the newly developed Breast Care Center at Lankenau Hospital in Wynnewood, Pa. Among her many interests, Dr. Sabol spearheads several research initiatives to advance the care for women with breast cancer and improve methods of breast cancer detection and treatment.
Question from EMcK: Is it advisable for all patients to wear a sleeve when flying? What if only one or two lymph nodes were removed? Is there a difference between short and long flights?
- Answer —Nicole Gergich, M.P.T., C.L.T.-L.A.N.A. : Again, I think making a blanket statement like “all” or “every” to our patients does not serve them well. I do believe that there is ample anecdotal evidence that there is a shift in fluid when people are exposed to a decreased air pressure for a long period of time. My feet swell when I go to Los Angeles on a flight. So I think everyone's body will respond to that pressure differently. If a patient is to have a compression sleeve for an airplane flight, the garment should be well-fit by a trained therapist, and the patient should be familiar with how to properly wear the garment.
On Wednesday, April 16, 2008, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Preventing and Treating Arm Lymphedema. Kathryn Schmitz, Ph.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.S.M.,Nicole Stout Gergich, M.P.T. C.L.T.-L.A.N.A., and moderator Jennifer Sabol, M.D., F.A.S.C. answered your questions about ways to prevent and manage lymphedema.
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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