MONTROSE – As breast cancer awareness month was observed during the month of October, the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and Montrose Memorial Hospital are now shining a spotlight on lymphedema, a chronic, debilitating and often irreversible side effect of cancer treatment. 

According to Joelle Grossman, PT and lymphedema specialist at MMH, “breast cancer patients who seek the services of a physical therapist can reduce their risk of lymphedema, as it can be prevented or more effectively managed if caught in its earliest stages and treated by a physical therapist.”

Breast cancer-related lymphedema, which can cause significant swelling of the upper and lower extremities due to the build-up of excess fluid, is mostly caused by damage to the body’s lymphatic system during treatment for cancer and can include limited movement, joint pain, and difficulty performing activities. Physical therapists, who are experts in restoring motion and mobility in people’s lives, play an important role not only in treating the effects of lymphedema but also in reducing the risk of occurrence.

Grossman recommend that patients who have breast cancer be aware of the risk factors and indicators of the onset of lymphedema.

Risk Factors:

·         Being overweight or gaining weight during or after cancer treatment.

·         Having lymph nodes removed.

·         Having radiation therapy.

·         Having an infection or blood clot in the limb affected by cancer treatment.

 Warning Signs:

·         Aching or heaviness in the limb that was affected by cancer treatment.

·         A feeling of fullness or tightness in the limb affected by cancer treatment.

·         Visible swelling that affects the limb affected by cancer treatment.

 A physical therapist can create a program tailored to your individual needs and monitor its effect on your limb. 

“We have a full team of committed therapists whose goal is to educate and empower the patient to minimize and manage the effects of this disease,” Grossman said. 

 For more information, call the Regional Rehabilitation Center at Montrose Memorial Hospital at 240-7369.