Lifting Weights After Breast Cancer Surgery

For years, doctors have been telling breast cancer patients to avoid lifting weights after surgery. The reasoning was that lifting could exacerbate symptoms of lymphedema, arm and hand swelling that many women experience after surgery. New research proves these well-meaning docs wrong.

A recent lymphedema study, published in the August 13 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, found that breast cancer survivors who lift weights are in better shape when it comes to experiencing symptoms of lymphedema. Compared to their non-weightlifting peers, women who lifted weights after surgery were less likely to experience worsening symptoms of lymphedema.

Researchers from University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine note that breast cancer survivors can safely participate in slowly progressive weight lifting. They recommend wearing a well-fitting compression garment on the affected arm.

The study involved 141 breast cancer survivors with a current diagnosis of lymphedema. Half of those women participated in weight-lifting classes, while the other half didn’t change their exercise routines. The women who lifted weights experienced fewer symptoms, and only nine required physical therapy for lymphedema, compared to 19 in the control group.

(Image via stock.xchng)