Komen: Treating Lymphedema After Breast Cancer

MIAMI (CBS4) – When undergoing breast cancer treatment, women often undergo lymph node removal or radiation which puts those women at risk for Lymphedema. Lymphedema is the accumulation of lymph fluid and most commonly shows up as uncomfortable swelling in the chest, arms, hands, or legs but there are ways to treat it.

Physical therapist Patricia Cunningham knows patients are frustrated and are ready to start healing when she takes them into therapy.

One of her specialties is treating women who have Lymphedema in their arm.

"The lymph nodes function to regulate the content of the protein in the lymphatic system," said Cunningham. "When they remove the lymph nodes, that ability is decreased."

Patients then start to swell and the frustration mounts.

"Went to put on a blouse for church and it was like tight, like a tight muscle shirt," explained breast cancer survivor Brenda Holmes. "I get kind of sad because I can't do the things I normally would do."

"It can significantly affect their quality of life, and activities of daily living," said Cunningham.

It especially affects Holmes, who works in a school cafeteria.

"So there's a lot of lifting and pulling with the big heavy pots and pans and loading the food onto the trays and making sure the kids eat, you know."

She looked for some relief by starting physical therapy at Memorial West Hospital.

"We'll incorporate strengthening in the treatment so that we can get her back to work in a gradual, safe progression," said Cunningham."

Holmes wraps her arm when the swelling flares up, and wears a special compression sleeve every day to keep it that way.

Even patients who don't have Lymphedema right after surgery need to watch out. Cunningham warned people can even develop Lymphedema years after their surgery.

Click here for more information on Lymphedema from the Susan G. Komen For The Cure web site.