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Compression sleeves and flying increase lymphedema risk?

Page last modified on: August 25, 2008

Question from MELB: My therapist says if you've never had lymphedema, wearing a compression sleeve on a plane will actually increase the risk of developing lymphedema. She says there is already compression in the plane, and adding even more compression with a sleeve will be way too much on a compromised arm. Is there formal study evidence showing anything to support either side of the flight controversy?: Answer —Kathryn Schmitz, Ph.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.S.M.: Yes, I can answer this. I love it when you go to a conference and you hear something and can tell someone about it. Sandi Hayes in Australia has done a small study, and she's planning on repeating it larger. She asked people to get measured before and after an airplane flight, and she found no effect. She's planning on repeating on a trans-Pacific flight from Sydney to San Francisco to confirm cross-continent flights. I will also comment that I think the reality – given that lymphedema garments are not often covered by third party payers, need to be fitted individually, and need to be replaced every 6 months – of burdening a woman who does not currently have lymphedema with a non-covered visit to a lymphedema therapist and the several hundred dollars for a garment every 6 months, is overkill. I'll also say that in light of this, it's clear from my interaction with women that they take this advice and translate it into putting on poorly fitting compression garments or off-the-shelf Ace bandages, which indeed could do more harm than good.

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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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.

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.