October, " world Breast Cancer Awareness Month ". Breast cancer accounts for about 25% of cancer cases in women. Early diagnosis is a very important point in breast cancer as well as in every type of cancer. Mammography is the most important diagnostic method at this point and it is the most important weapon against this disease as a method that every woman should take regularly at regular intervals over middle age.
Today, a different situation, "after breast cancer surgery or radiotherapy" lymphedema I want to talk about the table. This table is a question that directly and seriously affects the lives of survivors after cancer.
What is lymphedema?
Depending on the excessive accumulation of lymph fluid after months or years after lymphedema, breast cancer surgery or radiotherapy; a tablature that manifests itself with edema and swelling occurring around the arm, hand, chest wall or breast region.
How does lymphoedema occur?
In order to understand how and why Lymphoedema occurs, it is first necessary to have knowledge of the lymphatic system. Surgery and radiation treatments for breast cancer; lymph glands and lymphatic channels. The flow of the lymph fluid is interrupted, and a lymphadenectomy occurs afterwards. This is more often observed in the areas where treatment is administered. With increasing lymph fluid formation, the picture becomes worse and worse.
Initially; While there is a slight edema table, over time edema worsens clinically. The arm or hand becomes increasingly heavy, and loss of feelings may occur in later periods. After breast cancer surgery and radiation therapy, on average 20% to 30% of women develop a lymphadenopathy. Severity of clinical presentation; is directly linked to the level of the affected lymphatic system. Large-scale, underarm resections, obesity and excessive weight gain; Lymphoedema is among the first factors that increase the risk of emergence.
What are signs and symptoms of lymphedema?
If lymphedema will list the signs and symptoms that arise due to breast cancer surgeon or radiotherapy region,
Swelling in the breast, on the shoulder, shoulder or hand
Feeling of arm or hand weight
Feeling of a deep tension, change in structure and color of skin texture (usually red)
Sickness, pain and restlessness
Restricted movement sensation in joints (usually in shoulder, hand and wrist joints)
Also difficult to put in a coat, jacket or t-shirt
Increase in size
Watch, bracelets and rings begin to narrow
What should I do to reduce my stomach (swelling) after breast surgery or radiotherapy?
The swelling that occurs in the breast or in the armpit operating areas immediately after the breast surgery is normal. Generally, it will fall off automatically within 1 to 3 months. However, the observed swelling of the arm after this treatment; it most likely indicates lymphedema.
What you can do to reduce your salary simple applications It is available. Let's take a look at these.
Just as you normally do with your swollen arm, you can use it to do hair-dressing, bathing, dressing, and eating.
Keep your swollen arm up 2-3 times a day for about 45 minutes to be above your cardio level. You can do this by lying on the back and supporting your arm. You can use extra pillow with support purpose.
While your upper arm is above your heart level, you can exercise your hands 15 to 20 times a turn - close. Do this three to four times a day. The arm and forearm muscles are tightened and loosened, allowing the lymph fluid to move and the flow to the undamaged lymphatic channels.
Early after the radiotherapy swelling is observed. The swelling that occurs here, disappears spontaneously over time. Similarly, in this case; making stretching exercises in the arms and hands are very important for the activation of the lymphatic flow. If you notice a stinging or strange feeling (uncomfortable feeling) in swelling areas, you should definitely go with your doctor, and further research may be needed in terms of lymphedema.
To reduce lymphedema, do not limit your daily activities
Although lymphedema occurring after breast cancer treatment is not a preventable picture, most patients can live a comfortable life thanks to current recommendations and treatment methods. It is especially important that you use your affected limbs for daily activities such as hair-raising, toothbrushing, bathing. On this count, your arms and chest will work through your muscles in the anterior wall, providing regular flow of lymph fluid.
Use specially designed and manufactured socks
For lymphedema, the use of special and specially designed pressure socks will slow down the lymphedema development and increase comfort. Due to the fact that some socks are in special construction, it is a very important point to be given and applied by your doctor. Adherence of patients to socks and treatment due to unmeasured socks is seriously affected negatively.
It is also important to use these socks in situations where you will remain motionless and unable to exercise.
Avoid cellulitis and local tissue infections
Cellulitis (superficial skin infection characterized by skin redness, temperature increase and pain) and local tissue infections; lymph fluid production and flow. This is very important after breast cancer surgery and radiotherapy where the lymph system is impaired. For this reason, infections around arm, armpit, hand and chest region should be avoided and necessary treatment should be provided in the early period.
Avoid burns or high-temperature situations
Burns are the first of the events that cause fluid to accumulate in the tissue alone. The risk of lymphedema will increase significantly in case of burns that will develop after breast surgery and radiotherapy. Similarly, high temperatures and similar conditions (baths, saunas, burning under the sun) are the first of the situations that should be avoided, as they will cause the fluid to accumulate in the tissue.
Wear comfortable clothes
When the flow of lymph fluid is impaired, it is important to wear comfortable and abundant clothing so that the fluid flow of the remaining lymph vessels in the current lymph system is not affected. This applies not only to clothing, but also to accessory items such as bra, bracelet, watch, gloves, ring, etc., which may be of direct compression of the arm, hand or fingers.
Be sure to get professional help when lymphedema develops
Lymphoedema is a taboo that affects everyday life, worsening over time if it is not treated after it develops. Early treatment is the most important factor in achieving more successful treatment of the disease. For this reason, after lymphedema is diagnosed, there is absolutely professional help. In your treatment, you will also be part of a physiotherapist who is experienced in complex decongestive treatment and manual lymphatic drainage as well as your doctor. The physiotherapist will give you further information on how to use the pressure sore, simple lymphatic drainage, and follow your treatment in lymphedema treatment.
My lymphedema is up, how do I look at myself?
In the case of lymphedema, skin care is especially important. For this reason, early detection and treatment of infections that may occur in the lymphocyte developing region are required. Regularly, the use of skin moisturizers and antiseptic fluids is beneficial.
Likewise, hand hygiene is the most important protective method because of the fact that most of the infections are contaminated by our hands. For this reason, we need to take care not to wash our hands with soap.
In addition, weight loss and healthy eating are also important for lymphedema treatment. Vegetables, fruit-based diet, sugar and carbohydrates are the most basic points in the treatment of lymphedema, avoiding feeding and exercising regularly by your doctor.
Remember that lymphedema treatment will last forever and is a team work. The success of the treatment will come from the right and sufficient communication with everyone in the team.
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