For years women who have undergone surgery for breast cancer have been told to avoid lifting heavy objects for fear of causing painful arm swelling, known as lymphedema. However, new research appearing in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that, on the contrary, weight lifting actually reduces the incidence of lymphedema. By studying 141 breast cancer survivors, it was noted that fewer weightlifters had suffered lymphedema flare-ups – 14% versus 29% among those who did not participate in weight training classes. Lead study author Kathryn Schmitz, an exercise scientist at the University of Pennsylvania, recommends that women do not rush into weight training after breast cancer surgery. Rather, she recommends the following:
- Have a certified fitness professional teach you how to do the exercises properly.
- Start slow, with a program that gradually progresses.
- Wear a well-fitting compression garment during workouts.
[via CBS News]
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Dr. Steven Chang, the author of DailyDose, is a staff physician with Kosmix RightHealth. Dr. Chang practices Family Medicine at the University of California Davis Medical Center, where his medical interests include both pediatric and geriatric care, public health, gay and lesbian health, and sleep medicine. Dr. Chang trained at the Stanford University affiliated O'Connor Hospital, and was a research fellow at the National Institute of Health. He holds an M.D. from McGill University and a BA in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University.