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Cellulitis risk with sunbathing?

Page last modified on: August 21, 2008
Question from Constance: I have lymphedema in my right arm after a mastectomy with 24 nodes removed. How do I deal with the sun and getting any type of tan? I'm terrified if I sit in the sun that I'll end up with cellulitis in my arm. Any suggestions?
Answer —Linda Miller, P.T.: The most important thing when you have lymphedema is to avoid any new trauma to the arm. That being said, with proper sun block to avoid a harsh burn, there's no reason why you can't go out into the sun. There's no evidence that getting a suntan causes lymphedema. The important thing is to avoid a burn.

On Wednesday, May 21, 2008, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called After Surgery: Short-term and Long-term Effects. Kristin Brill, M.D., F.A.C.S. and Linda Miller, P.T. answered your questions about short-term and long-term side effects of breast surgery, and what you can do about them.

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

Kristin Brill, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a breast surgeon and clinical instructor at the Thomas Jefferson University Department of Surgery in Philadelphia, PA. She also maintains a practice in Cherry Hill, N.J. Dr. Brill is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. In addition, she has published breast cancer research in medical journals such as Annals of Plastic Surgery and Cancer, and she has presented research at the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Linda Miller, P.T. is the clinical director of the Breast Cancer Physical Therapy Center, LTD, a private practice serving the Philadelphia, PA and southern New Jersey areas. Linda specializes in treating post-operative complications of breast cancer surgery, including lymphedema.

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