Progressive Weight Training Does Not Cause Lymphedema In Breast Cancer Survivors, Study Says

Main Category: Lymphology/Lymphedema
Also Included In: Breast Cancer;  Sports Medicine / Fitness
Article Date: 22 May 2006 - 18:00 PDT

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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).

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