What to Look Out for After Breast Cancer Surgery: Understanding Lymphoedema and Your Recovery

Breast cancer surgery is a major step in your treatment and recovery. Whether you have had a lumpectomy, mastectomy, breast reconstruction or lymph node surgery, your body needs time, support and care to heal.
Many women focus on the surgical wound and their breast shape immediately after surgery. However, there is another important issue that should not be overlooked: lymphoedema.
Lymphoedema is one of the important long-term concerns following breast cancer treatment. Knowing the early signs and understanding how to care for your body can help you seek professional advice early and support a more comfortable recovery.
What Is Lymphoedema?Lymphoedema is swelling that can occur when the lymphatic system has been damaged or affected by surgery or cancer treatment.
After breast cancer treatment, lymphoedema may develop in the:

• Arm
• Hand
• Breast
• Chest wall
• Underarm
• Shoulder area

It does not necessarily happen immediately after surgery. Some women develop lymphoedema months or even years after their breast cancer treatment.
This is why continuing to pay attention to changes in your body is important, even after your surgical wound has healed.
Why Can Breast Cancer Surgery Increase the Risk?The lymphatic system is part of the body's system for moving fluid and supporting immune function. Lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels can be affected during breast cancer surgery and radiation treatment.
For example, women who have lymph nodes removed or treated may have a greater risk of developing lymphoedema.
This does not mean that every woman who has breast cancer surgery will develop lymphoedema. However, understanding your individual risk and recognising changes early is an important part of breast cancer recovery.
Know the Early Signs of LymphoedemaOne of the most important things you can do after breast cancer surgery is to become familiar with how your body normally feels.
Early signs may include:

• A feeling of heaviness or fullness in the arm or breast
• Tightness of the skin
• Swelling around the breast, chest or arm
• Jewellery, watches or clothing feeling tighter than usual
• A change in the size or shape of one arm
• A feeling of pressure or discomfort
• Skin that feels different or stretched
• Swelling that comes and goes

Sometimes the changes can be subtle.
If you notice a new or persistent swelling, heaviness or change, speak with your doctor, breast care nurse, physiotherapist or lymphoedema specialist.

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