The article "Balancing Lymphedema Risk: Exercise Versus Deconditioning for Breast Cancer Survivors," by Kathryn H. Schmitz, in Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews [Volume 38(1), January 2010, pp 17-24], provides an excellent overview on the current state of approaches to dealing with lymphedema risk by breast cancer survivors.
Article abstract: "Lymphedema, a common and feared negative effect of breast cancer treatment, is generally described by arm swelling and dysfunction. Risk averse clinical recommendations guided survivors to avoid the use of the affected arm. This may lead to deconditioning and, ironically, the very outcome women seek to avoid. Recently published studies run counter to these guidelines."
The author concludes after a lengthy review of current research, that "the results of completed studies support the safety of upper-body exercise among breast cancer survivors with and at risk for lymphedema. . . . specifics of all types of upper-body exercise are not yet tested, but several general premises of progressive exercise training seem to hold with this population. Training should start supervised at a low dose and increase according to symptom response and is likely to increase maximal and functional capacity of the affected arm. Future research should include assessment of efficacy and safety of additional modes of exercise popular with breast cancer survivors (e.g., yoga, Pilates) as well as assessment of the timing to start exercise after surgery."
