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Case presentations reveal that fasting during Ramadan may exacerbate symptoms of BCRL in survivors, suggesting dietary guidance is critical.
Introduction: Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is a chronic condition affecting breast cancer survivors (BCSs), leading to symptoms such as swelling. This case report highlights the potential impact of fasting during Ramadan on BCRL. Case Presentation: We present two cases of BCSs who developed complications related to BCRL after fasting during Ramadan month. The first case involved a 47-year-old woman who experienced stage 2a BCRL, while the second case was a 64-year-old woman with stage 3 BCRL complicated by cellulitis. Both patients underwent treatment, including Complete decongestive therapy, resulting in significant symptom improvement. Conclusion: These cases suggest that fasting may exacerbate or develop BCRL symptoms, emphasising the need for individualised dietary guidance for BCSs to prevent complications. Further research is essential to assess dietary effects on BCRL management. This association warrants further prospective evaluation in larger cohorts to better understand the relationship between fasting and BCRL.
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Yarmohammadi et al. (2025) studied this question.
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