“Exercise Improves Lymphedema Symptoms in Breast Cancer Survivors” plus 1 more

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Exercise Improves Lymphedema Symptoms in Breast Cancer Survivors Posted: 28 Aug 2009 03:03 PM PDT Arm lymphedema, or chronic swelling of the arm, occurs in 10 to 30 percent of women following treatment for breast cancer. When the lymphatic drainage network in the arm has been disrupted by the surgical removal of armpit lymph nodes by the surgeon, or by radiation therapy to the armpit area (or, sometimes, following both types of treatment), the delicate network of lymphatic vessels that return excess tissue fluid back to the heart can become obstructed. This lymphatic obstruction can result in chronic swelling of the hand and arm. Patients with significant lymphedema of the arm following breast cancer treatment may experience considerable swelling (edema), heaviness, stiffness and discomfort of the affected hand and arm. Physicians caring for breast cancer patients have traditionally advised against heavy lifting following breast cancer surgery, for fear that doing so might increase arm lymphedema. However, a new prospective randomized clinical research study calls into question the traditional advice against vigorous exercise involving the upper extremities, including lifting weights as a strengthening exercise. This new study, which appears in the New England Journal of Medicine, included 141 breast cancer survivors with chronic lymphedema. These women were divided into two groups, with a "treatment" group randomized to twice-weekly progressive weight training and a "control" group of women who were randomized to no weight training. All of the women participating in this study were followed for one year, at the end of which the degree of arm lymphedema was reassessed. Of note, all of the women who were randomized to the weight training group were required to wear custom-fitted compression garments when they were lifting weights. Not surprisingly, the women who participated in regular weight training reported significant improvement in upper and lower body strength during the course of this research study. Moreover, at the end of one year, both the patients and a certified lymphedema specialist reported a significant decrease in the severity and frequency of lymphedema symptoms among the patients who were randomized to the weight-lifting group. At the same time, twice weekly weightlifting sessions had no significant effect on the extent of arm and hand swelling among these women with chronic lymphedema. The results of this clinical study are good news for breast cancer survivors with chronic lymphedema. Physicians who care for such patients should all be made aware of the results of this research study, and they should begin encouraging their lymphedema patients to engage in regular weight training (provided, of course, that there are no health issues that preclude lifting weights). Not only does regular weight training appear to decrease the severity and frequency of lymphedema symptoms (based upon the findings of this study), but the added health advantages of such training also include increased strength and a decreased risk of osteoporosis as well. Disclaimer: As always, my advice to readers is to seek the advice of your physician before making any significant changes in medications, diet, or level of physical activity Dr. Wascher is an oncologic surgeon, a professor of surgery, a widely published author, and a Surgical Oncologist at the Kaiser Permanente healthcare system in Orange County, California

I Survived! Posted: 28 Aug 2009 12:58 PM PDT Five years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer and in a weak moment of indecision, had my left breast removed. Knowing what I know now, it was not the best course of action for me. Fast forward to the present and I am thriving and well on my way to complete recovery. I have achieved this level of health by being persistent, keeping my mind on the objective (a disease free body),and my faith in God. Sounds so simple, doesn't it? So "cut-and-dried". However, many life altering and life saving decisions had to be made along my pathto complete recovery.. Allow me to reflect on that day. When I saw the grim expression on the doctor's face and heard the word cancer, I didn't feel anything. It's almost bizarre to me now as I think about it. I had this odd sense of peace. I wasn't worried. I believed that God would take care of everything and I would be just fine. Weeks later, I agreed to a radical mastectomy of the left breast. The doctor expected me to be in the hospital for approximately threedays to recover. The sameday, following the surgery, I was dressed in my street clothes and ready for discharge. The i.v. in my arm was connected to a morphine pump for my pain. I didn't need it. In spite of my eagerness to leave, I was kept overnight for observation and released the following day. Even though I felt great physically, my heart was broken bythe loss of my breast.. Unfortunately, complications arose at the incision sight. The scar was not healing completely from within and re-opened. I returned to the doctor and was given an antibiotic. The antibiotic failed to solve my problemso I decided to return to my preferred method of health care. Before I was diagnosed with cancer I had always believed in natural remedies, healthier food andthe use of non-toxic cleaning products. I was pretty sure that living a natural life was the better way to go. I was a vitamin distributor and talked to people about being healthy naturally. However, I was not 100% committed to that lifestyle. As time went on, I used natural remedies to heal the open wound at my incision sight and went back to work. I dove intoa new careeras the program director of a large company. The hoursseemed endless, I had several employees, and the clients we served weremental health patients. Someof myclients had extreme behaviorisms and medical conditions that made staffing difficult. I was under, whatfelt like, a mountainof stress. Although I appeared healthy physically, I had this "gut feeling" that something was going wrong inside of my body. After alot ofdeliberation and prayer, I decided to give my 30 days notice. Immediatelyfollowing my last day of work,I awoke with a distended abdomen.Concerned and confused by this new development,I went to the area health clinic.I spoke to twodoctors and their firstresponse was to contact hospice care. Theywereconvinced that Iwas going to die very soon.I was also toldthey did not know whatcaused the fluid build-up in my abdomen, nothing could be done to drain it and as a result of my pleading, was sent to the area hospital for tests. An ultra-sound of my abdomen revealed a liver that was completely over taken by cancerous tumors. I returned to the clinic and was told that the fluid build up on my abdomen was from the liver and nothing could be done. Dissatisfied with the care I received at the area health clinic I became a patient atthe areacancer clinic. The doctorat theareacancer clinic explained to me that the fluid build-up in my abdomen was ascites. The fluid build-up was my body'sway of protecting itselffrom the cancer in the liver, right breastandperitoneum (abdominal cavity that houses the organs). Again, I was faced withthe decision of taking conventional treatments.I chose to have the ascites drained from my abdomen (a procedure that had to be repeated every 2 or 3 weeks) and take chemotherapy. After the designated chemotherapy treatments,I was informed that it was not working and that I should considerthree stronger chemo drugs that would have to be administered through a catheter in my arm. I said "No." Again,Ireturned to my preferred method of healthcare with a deeper commitment. Icreated anon-toxic, chemical free lifestyle of natural remedies, organic foods, pure hexagonal water and alternative physical therapies coupled with an aromatase inhibitor prescribed by my doctor. This means that it interrupts a critical step in the body's synthesis of estrogen. Some breast cancer cells require estrogen to grow, and eliminating estrogen suppresses that growth. Two years ago I was told that I would not live another four months because I had stage four adeno carcinoma, The term adenocarcinoma is derived from 'adeno' meaning 'pertaining to a gland' and 'carcinoma', which describes a cancer that has developed in the epithelial cells. Atpresent, the cancer is leaving my body at such a rate that Isee my doctor every three months instead of every month.. A recent bone scan showed negative for cancer growth in my bones. I will continue to live my organic, chemical free lifestyle. Now, my "gut feeling' is telling me that I willlive a long, strong and joyous life free of cancer!

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