Lymphedema most often becomes a chronic and progressive disease. Therefore, clinicians need to educate awareness of the lifetime risk for lymphedema and early signs and symptoms that often precede visible swelling. In addition, pathophysiology and underlying mechanism that contribute to the development of lymphedema is very little known. The lack of knowledge about the development of lymphedema allowed lifestyle-related risk exposures to be considered to play a causative role. Therefore, some guidelines strongly advise patients with at-risk for developing lymphedema to avoid several life-style related risk factors. However, there is little evidence to support about the efficacy of such precautionary behaviors do not exist. Clinicians need to educate patients on critical risk-reducing strategies that are practical and evidence based.
Jung et al. (Fri,) studied this question.