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A randomized controlled trial of weight reduction as a treatment for breast cancer‐related lymphedema
Author(s) -
Shaw Clare,
Mortimer Peter,
Judd Patricia A.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/cncr.22994
Subject(s) - medicine , lymphedema , weight loss , breast cancer , randomized controlled trial , body mass index , cancer , weight change , surgery , obesity , physical therapy
BACKGROUND. Obesity is considered a risk factor for the development of breast cancer‐related lymphedema of the arm and as a poor prognostic factor in response to lymphedema treatment. The objective of this study was to examine weight reduction as a treatment for breast cancer‐related lymphedema. METHODS. Twenty‐one women with breast cancer‐related lymphedema were randomized either to receive dietary advice for weight reduction or to receive a booklet on general healthy eating. They were monitored for 12 weeks. RESULTS. The primary outcome measure was arm volume at 12 weeks. The results indicated a significant reduction in swollen arm volume at the end of the 12‐week period ( P = .003) in the intervention weight‐reduction group. There was a significant reduction in body weight ( P = .02) and body mass index ( P = .016) in the weight‐reduction group at the end of the 12‐week study period. CONCLUSIONS. Weight loss achieved by dietary advice to reduce energy intake can reduce breast cancer‐related lymphedema significantly. Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society.