Reducing your risk of Lymphadema after breast cancer surgery.

Women who undergo surgery for breast cancer often have lymph nodes under the arm tested to determine if the cancer has spread. If cancer cells are present, the surgeon removes the axillary lymph nodes. This removal can create a complication with the proper flow and filtration of lymphatic fluid, which is the clear, protein rich fluid that helps rid the body of toxins.

The lymphatic system works near the surface of the skin in conjunction with the intricate blood vessels of the circulatory system. When large lymph nodes are surgically removed, the burden shifts to these tiny blood vessels to move the fluid from the arm and channel it throughout the rest of the body.

If the lymphatic fluid does not filter to these smaller channels it can cause a condition known as lymphedema, a swelling of the tissues caused by trapped lymphatic fluid inside the arm, hand, fingers, breast and chest.

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