Women with lymphedema should seek therapy

COLOGNE, Germany, Nov. 7 (UPI) -- Women with breast cancer who develop a feeling of heaviness, heat and swelling in an arm should get treatment for lymphedema, German researchers say.

Researchers at the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care say Germany has a breast cancer survival rate of more than 80 percent. However, as the survival rate goes up, quality of life for survivors assumes even more importance.

The more aggressive breast cancer treatment is, the higher the risk of lymphedema, and researchers estimate some 400,000 women in Germany have lymphedema caused by breast cancer treatment.

"Women need to take action early when this happens in the years after breast cancer treatment," Peter Sawicki, director of the institute, said in a statement. "Lymphedema is easier to treat effectively in the early stages."

Compression therapy with bandages or compression sleeves has proved effective in trials. A special massage technique called lymphatic drainage as well as physiotherapy might be able to help, but this has not been so well-studied, Sawicki said.

Women can learn more about the condition and possible treatment at the institute's Web site: informedhealthonline.org.