Lift for Lymph

Although doctors have long told breast cancer survivors to avoid lugging groceries, carrying children, and pumping iron to reduce risk of lymphedema—painful arm swelling that results from removing lymph nodes—women who have had lumpectomies or mastectomies may want to grab a kettlebell. A recent University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine study showed that lifting weights may actually prevent and relieve lymphedema by gradually building muscles to better support limbs and increase the amount of stress the body can handle. Of 141 lymphedema sufferers, half kept up current exercise habits, while the others attended 90-minute weightlifting classes twice weekly for 13 weeks, slowly increasing weight, and continued lifting individually for 39 more weeks. After a year, only 14 percent of the lifters experienced lymphedema flare-ups, compared to 29 percent of the control group.