Think Pinker

According to The Hindu News, Germany is seeing a survival rate that is greater than 80% thanks to the improvement in breast cancer treatments. Even more important is the fact that breast cancer survivors are not only living longer but they are also living a higher quality of life.

One of the more unpleasant side effects from breast cancer treatments has been lymphedema which results from lymph system damage. If the lymph system is unable to remove fluid from the arm and breast it gathers in the arm and it then swells causing restricted movement and a great deal of pain. Worse it can become chronic and difficult to treat.

How serious this problem is depends on how aggressive the breast cancer treatment was. Even if the treatment is far less aggressive around 10% of women will still develop lymphedema.

Staying active can help to improve quality of life and reduce the risk of lymphedema. Up until recently women were warned to limit the use of their arm after treatment. Protecting the arm was important but until recently it wasn’t understood just how important exercise was to reducing the risk of lympedema, instead knowing the signs of lympedema and only taking action should they find themselves with this condition.

As we understand breast cancer and breast cancer treatments better, we do a better job of improving survival rates and providing a quality life. One day it’s hoped breast cancer will be a thing of the past as we better understand the cause of breast cancer and how to prevent it in the first place.