Home → Treatment & Side Effects → Planning Your Treatment → Ask-the-Expert Conferences: Treatment Issues → May 2008: After Surgery: Short-term and Long-term Effects → Concerns about lymphedema and physical activities?

Concerns about lymphedema and physical activities?

Page last modified on: August 21, 2008

Question from WSD: I had 27 lymph nodes removed from my left underarm area and 13 removed from the right. My concern is lymphedema while trying to stay physically active and fit. What is your opinion about participating in dragon boat racing and using rebounders as part of an exercise regimen?: Answer —Linda Miller, P.T.: Dragon boating has become a popular way of exercising for breast cancer survivors. There have been a couple of papers published that have followed dragon boaters through their activity and have found no increase in the incidence of lymphedema or worsening of lymphedema in women who participate. That being said, the important thing if you're going to start this activity would be to make sure that your arms are ready to participate. This would include performing a good flexibility program and a light resistance program prior to excessive paddling. It is sometimes recommended that women who are at risk for lymphedema wear a well-fitted compression sleeve prior to starting such vigorous exercise; however, that is only a guideline and is not mandatory.

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.

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

Email Updates

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

Visit our Gift Shop!

Shop Now »

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.