Skip to content

Safe to fly after treatment?

Page last modified on: September 10, 2008
Question from Birgitt: How safe it is to fly after lumpectomy, radiation, and lymph node removal? And how soon?
Answer —Julie Gralow, M.D.: There's no reason to restrict your travel after breast cancer treatment if you're feeling up to it. Usually, your surgeon might recommend just a few weeks of healing before taking a long trip. But what you're probably wondering about is the arm swelling that can occur as a result of the pressure changes that take place 35,000 feet up in an airplane. When you fly, however, doesn't affect your chances of swelling, so there's no restriction in terms of waiting a month or a year.

What I usually tell my patients is that if they're having trouble with arm swelling, they should see a physical therapist, preferably one who treats lymphedema, and get fitted for a special sleeve to wear on the plane. This sleeve will constrict the arm and prevent fluid from building up. If a patient has had lymph node surgery but hasn't had any trouble with swelling, then I usually don't recommend getting a sleeve, although some lymphedema specialists do recommend it. If a patient who normally doesn't have lymphedema notices that her arm gets puffy after flying, then it may be reasonable to get fitted for a sleeve to wear on future flights.

In general, if you do get a little puffy, massage can help. Work your way up the arm toward the shoulder, since this can help mobilize this fluid. Generally speaking, arm swelling will go down fairly soon after the end of your travels.

On Wednesday, January 15, 2003, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Managing Treatment Side Effects. Julie Gralow, M.D. and Marisa Weiss, M.D. answered your questions about many of the short-term and long-term side effects of breast cancer treatment, and ways of minimizing them, so you can get on with your life and enjoy your day-to-day activities.

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.

A production of LiveWorld, Inc.
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.

Email Updates

Stay informed about current research, online events, and more.

Please leave this field empty

Meet the Experts

Julie Gralow, M.D.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.

Marisa Weiss, M.D. is a radiation oncologist specializing in breast cancer and the founder, president, and guiding force behind Breastcancer.org.

Back to top

Breastcancer.org 7 East Lancaster Avenue, 3rd Floor Ardmore, PA 19003

Learn more about our commitment to your privacy

© 2009 Breastcancer.org - All rights reserved.

Breastcancer.org is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing information and community to those touched by this disease. Learn more about our commitment to providing complete, accurate, and private breast cancer information.