Maryland’s Health Matters - Upper Chesapeake - Winter 2018 - 8
Certified lymphedema specialist
Mary Beth Creighton demonstrates an easy,
pain-free test for early signs of
lymphedema in breast cancer patients.
BREAST CANCER AND LYMPHEDEMA
Surviving the challenges of cancer is
director of the Upper Chesapeake Breast
and treat its onset. The test involves
difficult physically and emotionally.
Center. "This procedure removes fewer
passing a painless, harmless, low-level
Not only are you dealing with side
lymph nodes than axillary dissection,
electrical signal through the body to
effects of treatment, but also there
and there is less risk of lymphedema,"
measure increased fluid in the arm
are conditions post-treatment that
adds Dr. Milburn, who is a fellowship-
even before symptoms start.
can be surprising and unpleasant.
trained breast surgical oncologist and
Lymphedema is one such condition.
an assistant professor of surgery at
for risks of lymphedema before surgery
the University of Maryland School
to establish what might be normal
of Medicine.
fluid for a person, and then again
Women who have had lymph node
removal in the armpit area or radia-
Breast cancer patients are screened
tion therapy to a lymph node region as
Symptoms of lymphedema can
shortly after surgery. Treatment can
well as those undergoing breast cancer
appear within a few days of surgery,
then begin to offset the appearance
surgery are at risk for lymphedema.
but also months or years later. The
of symptoms. Treatments include
Because these types of surgeries
earlier it is detected, the more effective
compression, massage and exercises in
and radiation are common treatment
the treatment and management will
an outpatient clinical setting, followed
approaches for breast cancer, health
be. While some swelling after surgery
by some education on how to do the
care providers are on the watch for
is normal, symptoms such as feeling
care management at home.
lymphedema in their patients.
jewelry fit tighter than normal or a
"Currently, most people are diag-
feeling of heaviness in the arm is not,
nosed with early stage breast cancer,
and a doctor should be consulted. It
and the standard of care is to perform
is not clear why some people develop
a sentinel node biopsy, which is a
lymphedema and some do not.
minimally invasive procedure to evaluate
The Breast Center uses a technol-
for the presence of cancer within the
ogy that assists in detecting early
lymph nodes," says Meghan Milburn, MD,
stages of lymphedema to identify
8 MARYLAND'S HEALTH MATTERS
LEARN MORE
For more information about
lymphedema treatment for
breast cancer patients, call the
UM Upper Chesapeake Breast
Center at 443-643-3257.
Highly specialized rehabilitation in three convenient areas in Harford County.
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Maryland’s Health Matters - Upper Chesapeake - Winter 2018
In This Issue
Maryland’s Health Matters - Upper Chesapeake - Winter 2018 - 1
Maryland’s Health Matters - Upper Chesapeake - Winter 2018 - In This Issue
Maryland’s Health Matters - Upper Chesapeake - Winter 2018 - 3
Maryland’s Health Matters - Upper Chesapeake - Winter 2018 - 4
Maryland’s Health Matters - Upper Chesapeake - Winter 2018 - 5
Maryland’s Health Matters - Upper Chesapeake - Winter 2018 - 6
Maryland’s Health Matters - Upper Chesapeake - Winter 2018 - 7
Maryland’s Health Matters - Upper Chesapeake - Winter 2018 - 8
Maryland’s Health Matters - Upper Chesapeake - Winter 2018 - 9
Maryland’s Health Matters - Upper Chesapeake - Winter 2018 - 10
Maryland’s Health Matters - Upper Chesapeake - Winter 2018 - 11
Maryland’s Health Matters - Upper Chesapeake - Winter 2018 - 12
Maryland’s Health Matters - Upper Chesapeake - Winter 2018 - 13
Maryland’s Health Matters - Upper Chesapeake - Winter 2018 - 14
Maryland’s Health Matters - Upper Chesapeake - Winter 2018 - 15
Maryland’s Health Matters - Upper Chesapeake - Winter 2018 - 16
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