Early breast cancer: a guide for women - Cancer Australia

• Compression sleeve — this is a tightly fitting elastic sleeve wornon the affected arm. Studies suggest that wearing a compressionsleeve can help to reduce the swelling associated withlymphoedema. The sleeve stops fluid from building up and movesexcess fluid out of the affected area. Your doctor may recommendthat you wear a compression sleeve if your arm swells, or duringcertain activities, such as sport or air travel. Wearing a compressionsleeve may be combined with other forms of treatment, such asmanual lymphatic drainage (see below).Compression sleeves should be fitted professionally andreplaced when they lose their elasticity.• Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) or decongestivephysiotherapy — this is a special form of massage of the affectedarea. The aim of manual lymphatic drainage is to improve theway in which the lymphatic vessels are working and reduce thebuild-up of fluid. It uses long, slow, gentle strokes to help movethe lymph fluid from the affected area through the remaininglymph vessels to nearby or distant lymph nodes. Such treatmentsshould be designed by a qualified lymphoedema practitioner. Yourpractitioner can also teach a carer or family member how to do thistechnique at home.• Compression bandaging — is usually done in combination withmanual lymphatic drainage to reduce swelling in the breast or toreduce severe swelling in the arm before a compression garmentis fitted. It may also be used if your skin is very fragile or damaged.Compression bandages should be replaced every day.Ask your GP, surgeon, breast care nurse or lymphoedemapractitioner for more information about how to managelymphoedema.16