First Annual Lymphedema Walk for Charity Sponsored by The Peapod Purse Charitable Foundation.
For Online Registration and Donations go to the home of the Peapod Purse Lymphedema Charity (Clik) Or for Paper Registration (Clik)
Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema BCRL Undiagnosed in 36% of Patients with Lymphedema. 87% of Lymphedema Diagnosed Patients not receiving the Gold Standard of Care.
In a Nov. 2013 study of 450 Breast Cancer Survivors who had symptoms of Lymphedema after Breast Cancer Treatment, 36% had not been diagnosed with Lymphedema by their physician. Of the 64% of Breast Cancer Survivors who were diagnosed with Lymphedema, only 13% received the Gold Standard in Treatment consisting of Complete Decongestive Therapy CDT and Manual Lymph Drainage MLD with Compression Garments, and Remedial Exercises as defined by The National Lymphedema Network in their 2011 Position Statement.
This study at The Medical College of Wisconsin showed that despite very effective interventions for Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema, 87% of those diagnosed did not receive the Gold Standard of Care. It also demonstrated that 160 of 450 Breast Cancer Survivors were not diagnosed with Lymphedema despite symptoms.
Please see our section on Breast Cancer Rehabilitation for current research on Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema, early intervention, prevention, and lymphedema treatment. In the Jan. 2013 edition of Breast, BCRL or Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema was found to be the most common disease/ morbidity associated with Breast Cancer Treatment. Early Intervention with monitoring through measurement and bioimpedance is the most highly recommended way to minimize the occurrence of swelling and to get limb swelling under control fast.
Wyatt Rehab is a World Leader in Lymphedema Treatment and Wyatt uses The Gold Standard Treatment for Lymphedema. Wyatt is thoroughly versed in all procedures and devices and has helped thousand of patients since 2005. Contact Wyatt today if you are receiving Breast Cancer Treatment and have concerns about Lymphedema. Print this referral for your Physician and talk with them today.
Lifting Weights May Reduce Breast Cancer Lymphedema
Survivors of Breast Cancer who lift weights 2x per week with a slow progression have a lower incidence of Arm Lymphedema. After breast cancer treatment, incidence of "Breast Lymphedema", "Breast Cancer Lymphedema", "Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema" or "BCRL" often occurring in the arm, is decreased when working out. This is contrary to what some believe but was confirmed by U. Penn Center for Clinical Epidemiology published in a 2010 randomized trial in JAMA. Weight Lifting was introduced and Breast Cancer Survivors were monitored for a year including 13 weeks of supervised medical exercise instruction and 9 months unsupervised--134 participants took part.
Breast Cancer Lymphedema was decreased by 6% in those who performed exercise at least 2x per week. Breast Cancer Lymphedema occurred in only 11% of those that performed weight lifting while the control group had a 17% incidence of Lymphedema. Among the aforementioned, at least 2 nodes were removed. When the 49 participants who had 5 or more nodes removed were analyzed, their decrease was even greater dropping 15% compared to the control group.
Breast Cancer Survivors are encouraged to slowly work through a progression in weight training. This has been shown to reduce Lymphedema risks. Wyatt Rehab offers a Breast Cancer Rehabilitation Program that addresses these needs in a Physical Therapist supervised environment. Physical Therapists at Wyatt are experts in Breast Cancer Rehab, Breast Cancer Lymphedema, Physical Therapy, Lymphedema Prevention, and Lymphedema Early Intervention.
This research coupled with the 2012 study in Lymphology extolling tremendous benefits of Manual Lymph Drainage MLD for Breast Cancer Survivors provides extremely strong evidence for Breast Cancer Rehab Programs like those at Wyatt Rehab. The Lymphology study effectively suggesting MLD after surgery is preventative for Lymphedema- lowering the risk to near zero. Early intervention, monitoring programs, and preventative measures, e.g., MLD, Physical Therapy, and Medical Exercise Programs greatly reduce the incidence of Breast Cancer Lymphedema.
Exercise and Yoga for Breast Cancer Survivors
A 2013 retrospective meta-analysis in the Journal of Physiotherapy reviewed 34 studies to determine effectiveness of exercise programs in patients who had undergone treatment for Cancer. The results suggest tatistically significant benefits in body weight, peak oxygen consumption, strength, physical function, and quality of life for those patients involved in exercise after treatment. 65% of the individuals reviewed possessed Breast Cancer.
In 2013 The Department of Clinical Psychology at VU University Amsterdam performed focus groups to determine the effects of Yoga on Cancer patients. 29 Cancer Patients participated and 72 % were Breast Cancer Patients. Their mean age was 53. The results suggested physical and psychosocial benefits including: mental strength and resilience, increased physical fitness and function, relaxation, and happiness. These results exactly match a much larger 2012 study of 742 participants in BMC Cancer. These results support Breast Cancer Rehabilitation programs and Yoga for Breast Cancer survivors.
Furthermore, The International Journal of Yoga in January 2013 showed results from the Division of Yoga Life Sciences at SVYASA, a Yoga University in India. Approximately 30 individuals were tested for DNA damage through an electrophoresis assay. There were three groups tested: Yoga Practitioners, Breast Cancer Patients, and a Control Group of Non-Yoga Practitioners. 500 cells were assessed for DNA damage. The results showed significantly lower DNA damage in yoga practitioners.
