Breast cancer-related lymphedema: Symptoms, diagnosis, risk reduction, and management

Table 1 Bivariate association between each symptom and lymphedema

Symptom	OR	95%CI	P-value
Arm swelling	561	76.04-71644.49	< 0.0001
Arm heaviness	17.46	8.22-39.25	< 0.0001
Arm firmness	10.33	5.04-22.16	< 0.0001
Increased arm temperature	9.07	2.98-29.94	0.000
Seroma formation	8.61	3.54-21.54	< 0.0001
Arm tightness	7.78	3.84-16.84	< 0.0001
Limited arm movement	5.86	2.94-11.93	< 0.0001
Tingling in affected arm	5.54	2.79-11.26	< 0.0001
Arm aching	5.14	2.60-10.46	< 0.0001
Limited fingers movement	4.56	1.92-10.66	0.0008
Limited elbow movement	4.39	1.53-12.21	0.0069
Limited wrist movement	4.23	1.58-10.99	0.0049
Limited shoulder movement	3.84	1.94-7.64	0.0001
Stiffness in the affected arm	3.55	1.75-7.16	0.0005
Burning in the affected arm	2.86	1.11-6.93	0.0299
Arm Redness	2.47	1.02-5.66	0.0450
Numbness in the affected arm	2.4	1.21-4.71	0.0124
Tenderness	2.07	1.06-4.03	0.0320
Pain in the affected arm	1.99	1.01-3.89	0.0463

Modified from the publication Ref.[23].

Table 2 General exercise guidelines for breast cancer survivors

	Suitability
	Survivors at-risk for Lymphedema	Survivors with Lymphedema
(1) Initiate exercise at lower intensity gradually increasing intensity as tolerated, monitoring the affected limb for signs and symptoms of lymphedema	Yes	Yes
(2) Walking, swimming, cycling and low impact aerobics are recommended.	Yes	Yes
(3) Modify physical exercise to reduce the risk of trauma and injury. Exercise to the extent that the affected body part is not sored or fatigued	Yes	Yes
(4) Flexibility exercises should be performed to maintain range of movement	Yes	Yes
(5) Appropriate warming up and cooling down should be implemented as part of exercise regime	Yes	Yes
(6) Compression garments should be worn during exercise	Not established	Yes