What your doctor isn't telling you

One of the lesser-discussed side effects of conventional cancer treatment, such as a mastectomy or radiation, is the condition called lymphedema. This condition, which affects 15 to 20 percent of all women receiving treatment, causes chronic, disfiguring and often painful swelling of the arm or breast.

The lymphatic system, whose main function is to remove toxins from the body by circulating lymph fluid, sometimes spreads cancer. To prevent that from happening, surgeons often remove or debilitate the lymph nodes. But in the process, other vital functions shut down, causing waste products to remain in the lymphatic vessels where they place enormous pressure on the tissues. That pressure can cause limbs to swell UP to three times their normal size and lead to infection.

Unfortunately, many patients cannot take measures to avoid this condition because they are not informed of the risk in advance. "Some doctors say they don't address lymphedema because there isn't a clinically proven method of treatment," says Mitchelle Tanner, assistant director of the National Lymphedema Network in San. Francisco. "In the old days, when women's arms swelled nobody did anything for them. Doctors used to say and are still saying `You're lucky to even be alive.'"

While conventional medicine only offers compression garments (worn' to constrict the arm or breast, and prevent swelling) for easing the symptoms, there are many alternative therapies that can be undertaken prior to cancer treatment. At the Ultimate Health clinics in Black Rock and Asheville, N.C., Peter Glasser, MLDT, LMT specializes in manual lymph drainage (MLD), a massagelike treatment that stimulates circulation and relieves pressure in the tissues. Glasser says he's had great success with the clinics' alternative therapy program, which includes a complete herbal body detoxification regimen, MLD and a variety of individually prescribed supplements. "People have been able to stop wearing compression garments within six months of starting the program. I don't know of anybody else who has had those same results," says Glasser.

To treat or avoid lymphedema, Glasser recommends the following regimen to flush out the body's toxins: drinking eight to 10 glasses of water daily; an herbal cleanser taken for two to three months (followed by one month once a year); 100 milligrams (mg.) of grape seed extract to neutralize any free radicals left behind from toxin buildup; digestive enzymes to break down protein and fat; dandelion leaf extract to act as a natural diuretic (follow the low-end of. label dosage instructions); and for general health,, a multi-vitamin/mineral containing significant doses of calcium, magnesium and the B vitamins. (For best results, look for brands designed to be taken in a dosage of six to nine capsules daily.)

When it comes to dealing with lymphedema, it's clear women must be proactive and take matters into their own hands.

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Exercise Engage in physical activity. It helps to increase circulation of blood and lymph fluid.

Elevation Raise the arm above the heart to allow gravity to keep the lymph fluid moving.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) Seek this gentle massage to stimulate circulation and get the fluid out of the lymphatic vessels and into the bloodstream, where it can be disposed of by the body.

Compression Wear garments or bandages after MLD to prevent re-entry of fluid into the lymphatic vessels and swelling in the arm.

Diet Consume foods tow in salt and fat to prevent water retention.

For more information, contact the National Lymphedema Network at (800) 541-3259 or (415) 921-1306 or the Ultimate Health Center Inc. at (800) 268-6905 or (828) 257-9825.