Lymphedema risk

Hi, all,

Here's a new study about relative lymphedema risk. Please remember we're ALL at risk (even those with prophylactic mastectomies) for the rest of our long and otherwise very healthy lives. Reduce your risk by following the guidelines from the National Lymphedema Network at www.lymphnet.org

Be well!

Binney 

Risk factors for arm lymphedema following breast cancer diagnosis in Black women and White women.

Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2008 Feb 24

Meeske KA, Sullivan-Halley J, Smith AW, McTiernan A, Baumgartner KB, Harlan LC, Bernstein L.
Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.

Purpose Lymphedema of the arm is a potential complication of breast cancer therapy. This study examines pre-disposing factors that may operate in conjunction with treatment-related factors in the development of arm lymphedema in a large cohort of White and Black breast cancer survivors. Methods 494 women (271 White and 223 Black) with in situ to Stage III-A primary breast cancer completed a baseline interview within 18 months of diagnosis. Information on lymphedema was collected during a follow-up interview, conducted on average 50 months after diagnosis. Self-reported data were used to classify women with or without lymphedema. Multivariable logistic regression models were developed to identify risk factors for arm lymphedema. Results Arm lymphedema was associated with younger age at diagnosis (odds ratio, OR per year of age = 0.96; 95% confidence interval, CI = 0.93-0.99), positive history of hypertension (OR = 2.31; 95% CI = 1.38-3.88), obesity (OR for body mass index, BMI>/=30 = 2.48; 95% CI = 1.05-5.84) and having had surgery where 10 or more lymph nodes were excised (OR = 2.16; 95% CI = 1.12-4.17). While Black women had higher prevalence of arm lymphedema than White women (28% vs. 21%), race was not associated with lymphedema risk in models adjusted for multiple factors (adjusted OR = 1.01; 95% CI = 0.63- 1.63). Conclusion Risk of arm lymphedema did not differ significantly for Black and White women. Risk factors identified in this study offer opportunities for interventions (weight loss, control of blood pressure, use of sentinel node biopsy where possible) for reducing incidence of lymphedema or controlling the symptoms associated with this condition.

PMID: 18297429 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18297429?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum