My 33 year old daughter had a small tumour removed from just behind her nipple 10 weeks ago. At a consultation with a nurse about a rash and prior to RT she was told, she should never lift anything above her head, due to the risk of lymphedemia.
Does this sound right, she has a job that is part creative and part manual.
Thanks Chris
Hi @worriedmum.
Welcome to the forum, we hope you find it a helpful and supportive place.
Please do have a look through the various boards and topics to find those going through similar experiences who may be able to help with this.
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All the best,
Chloe
Hi Chris,
It doesn’t sound correct to me and isn’t something I’ve heard before, but I am not medically qualified.
I think you are right to question this, and I would seek a second opinion from someone in your daughter’s care team, as they know her individual circumstances best.
Good luck.
Lisa
I’m sure the nurses will comment soon. Lymphodema risks usually come from when lymph nodes have been removed or if there has been a sentinel node biopsy. Radiotherapy can interrupt lymph flow, but I would not thought it would be a huge risk. I had 20 doses of radiotherapy and sentinel node biopsy, it was never mentioned. I’m in the gym twice a week lifting heavy weights above my head. I am some years post surgery, so recovery is important. Each case is individual, but I think she needs to have a chat with her oncologist. Best wishes.
Hello worriedmum
Thanks for posting.
In the first few weeks after surgery, it is important to be careful about lifting anything too heavy, and this might include lifting things above your head. However, it is important that your daughter gradually returns to normal activities whilst remaining cautious with any lifting or activity that places excessive strain on her affected arm, as this may increase her risk of developing Lymphoedema.
To reduce the risk of lymphoedema developing, maintaining a healthy weight and exercising (as able) will reduce the burden on the lymphatic system and trying to use her arm normally. You are more likely to increase your risk of lymphoedema by overly protecting your arm and not using it enough.
It is likely that your daughter was given exercises to do after surgery to enable her to get back her full range of movement. It is important to keep doing the exercises until she gets back the range of movement she had before her operation. If she is going to have radiotherapy, continuing with the exercises will help her shoulder flexibility. This will also help her get back to doing her partly manual job.
As @edp says recovery is important but in time your daughter should feel strong enough to lift things above her head, and many women regularly lift weights in this way as part of their exercise regimen.
As @lisa49 says seeking a second opinion on this from another member of her breast cancer team would be helpful.
We offer a range of free supportive services which your daughter may interested in. They include face to face and online courses and events.
Our Moving Forward resources are for people who have had a diagnosis of primary breast cancer and have come to the end of their main hospital treatment within the last 2 years. They include our Moving Forward booklet and Moving Forward courses and our younger women’s services.
If you would like to call our helpline to talk this through or have any further questions, one of our nurses would be very happy to speak with you.
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Best wishes
Angela
Breast Care Nurse
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