I want this article to help you understand what Lymphoedema actually is, and leave you feeling empowered rather than confused; and focusing on what you can do to live a healthier, active life.
Lymphoedema is a chronic (long term) condition characterised by swelling; most commonly in an arm or leg; but it can also affect other parts of the body like the head, neck, or torso . It occurs when your lymphatic system, a vital part of your immune system, isn’t working as effectively as it should.
Most often for cancer survivors this is due to:
Having some or all of your lymph nodes in a certain area removed.
Damage from radiotherapy - this can cause scarring and inflammation in lymphatic vessels and nodes, making it harder for them to drain fluid effectively.
Chemotherapy - less common, but sometimes chemotherapy can cause dysfunction in your lymphatic system.
Think of your lymphatic system as a network of tiny vessels and nodes that act like your body’s internal drainage system. Its job is to collect excess fluid (called Lymph), waste products, and proteins from your tissues and return them to your bloodstream.
The most common symptoms:
Swelling
Skin changes
Discomfort
Reduced flexibility
Tightness
Recurrent infections
If you notice any of these symptoms and you have any concerns at all, please speak to your GP or oncology team as soon as possible. There are many ways to manage Lymphoedema and the earlier you find it, the more effective this will be.
This is both harmful and wrong. Avoiding exercise can actually lead to muscle wasting and increase the burden on your lymphatic system.
The Science:
The Muscle Pump: Systematic reviews (e.g., Frontiers in Physiology, 2024) show that progressive resistance training does not increase the risk of developing lymphoedema and can actually help manage symptoms.
Exercise acts as a “natural pump,” where muscle contractions help move lymphatic fluid through the vessels.
A key consideration is to avoid isolated holds during exercise - so things like planks, or paused squats / curls - you want to keep your body moving throughout.
You also need to include a warm up and a cool down for every exercise session to ensure your body is already starting to move the fluid around and your muscles are warm and ready to exercise.
Now with some nuance to this one, it’s important to think about: if you don’t check your blood pressure or you don’t have that blood test done, what else could you be missing out on that would be much more harmful?
Now, I wouldn’t recommend checking your blood pressure every day but if you are going to the doctor and they are suggesting you need to monitor your blood pressure or it’s a one-off, this is not something I would recommend you avoid. I would recommend you discuss it with your GP and with the nurse who is doing the BP readings or the blood test to ensure they are aware of your situation and they can also help you to feel more comfortable and talk you through the process.
A major study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology (Ferguson et al., 2016) followed over 600 women and found that ipsilateral (on the same side as the affected limb) blood draws, injections, and blood pressure readings were not significantly associated with an increase in arm volume.
Cellulitis (infection) remains the primary risk factor for triggering or worsening lymphoedema, rather than the mechanical pressure of a cuff or the drawing of blood.
You don’t have to give up your holidays. Most people can fly safely without issues, provided they stay hydrated and keep moving.
Research indicates that for most survivors, short-haul flights pose a very low risk. Again, always speak to your GP and they will likely recommend compression sleeves and regular movement so aim for an aisle seat to make sure that you can get up regularly. If you are sat down you can still be moving your arms around and your legs around from a seated and belted position.
As a side note - it is also important to ensure that you have this listed on your insurance so that you are covered if you have any issues.
Some Dr’s will recommend compression sleeves for long-haul flights, It seems that this is mostly precautionary and again the most important thing is that you keep moving at regular intervals, including when seated.
The evidence suggesting that a flight causes lymphoedema is weak, so focus more on how you can keep that lymphatic fluid moving rather than the worry and the stress of what impact this flight will have for you .
Hot weather / heatwaves:
Warmer and more humid conditions can often exaggerate your Lymphoedema symptoms, increasing swelling and discomfort.
Key considerations:
Increased fluid retention: Heat causes vasodilation (widening of blood vessels), increasing blood flow to the skin’s surface. For people with a compromised lymphatic system, this additional vascular load can lead to further fluid retention and worsening Lymphoedema.
Compression garments are a key part of Lymphoedema management, but they can be uncomfortable and difficult to wear in hot, humid conditions, sometimes leading to people choosing not to wear them and therefore seeing increased swelling.
The stagnant fluid in limbs affected by Lymphoedema makes people more susceptible to cellulitis, an infection that has a higher incidence of hospital admissions during warmer weather.
So, what can you do?
Gradually increase your exercise: Don’t just jump into heavy weights. Start light, monitor how your limb feels (not just how it looks), and progress slower than maybe you would like to.
Stay active: Small movements throughout the day such as short walks, or shoulder circles / leg lifts when seated. Ensure you are not sat still for too long so you can help your body to keep that fluid moving around your body.
Skin Care: Keep skin hydrated, use repellent to avoid bug bites, and treat any cuts immediately with antiseptic.
Look out for the early signs: These include a feeling of heaviness or tightness in jewellery or clothing, not just visible swelling.
Focus on what you CAN do: The goal of Lymphoedema management is to still do the things you love, not to restrict your life.
As always this is for your information and to help educate and empower you to make your own decisions but please always speak to your doctor or to your oncology team as this is not individual medical advice
I hope you found this helpful. If you did, please do share it with somebody else who you think may benefit from it and hit the subscribe button so you see my weekly articles helping you break down all the misinformation and confusing, overwhelming advice that you can find online.
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References:
Ferguson, C. M., et al. (2016). “Impact of Ipsilateral Blood Draws, Injections, Blood Pressure Measurements, and Air Travel on the Risk of Lymphedema.” Journal of Clinical Oncology. NCBI Link
Kilbreath, S. L., et al. (2010). “Airplane travel and lymphedema.” Journal of Cancer Survivorship. PubMed Link
Hasenoehrl, T., et al. (2020). “Resistance exercise and breast cancer-related lymphedema—a systematic review update.” Supportive Care in Cancer. NCBI Link
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