Progressive Weight Training Does Not Cause Lymphedema in Breast Cancer Survivors, ...

[R.B.]

To lift or not to lift..it does not say how much the women were lifting but note caveat at end....


RB

Abstract.

http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_r...fm?DR_ID=37365

Daily Women's Health Policy
Public Health & Education | Progressive Weight Training Does Not Cause Lymphedema in Breast Cancer Survivors, Study Says
[May 19, 2006]

Breast cancer survivors who have had their lymph nodes removed and who practiced slow, progressive weight training did not increase the onset of lymphedema -- a buildup of lymphatic fluid under the skin -- according to a study published in the May 15 edition of the Journal of Clinical Oncology, the New York Times reports. Kathryn Schmitz, an assistant professor in epidemiology at the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania, and colleagues for six months studied 23 breast cancer survivors who had had their lymph nodes removed and underwent weight training twice a week and 22 breast cancer survivors who had had their lymph nodes removed and did not lift weights. Researchers found there was no difference in arm circumference between the exercise group and the control group, and the exercise group had fewer symptoms of lymphedema than the women in the control group, the Times reports. "While current clinical guidelines say that this type of exercise may be harmful, our research indicates that it is indeed safe," Schmitz said, adding, "More research is needed to know whether exercise prevents lymphedema, but there are physiologic reasons to believe that it might." Joseph Feldman of the Lymphedema Treatment Center in Illinois said that because the study tracked women for only six months, he would advise his patients to avoid lifting weights heavier than five pounds until a study spanning several years is conducted, the Times reports (Berger, New York Times, 5/18).

[Kim in CA]

I tend to believe that exercise is the best therapy. When I was originally diagnosed and had my mastectomy and lymph nodes removed, I was back doing all my chores in a very short time. We had five horses at the time and I did almost all of the mucking of manure and feeding etc, etc. We are down to three horses now, and my kids have been married for over two years, so I still do all of the work myself. I can stack bales of hay with the best of them! I have always been a bit of a tomboy when it comes to work, and it's definitely cheaper than a membership to the gym! I think I come by it honestly, because my mother is 73, and when we called her on Mother's Day she was out weed whacking and high weed mowing her 11 acres!!

I know it's just anecdotal, but I've never had lympedema either.

Kim in CA