Class helps women after breast cancer surgery
Women who have had breast cancer surgery can enroll in a free monthly Cancer Center class designed just for them. It offers lymphedema prevention tips, appropriate management techniques, safe exercises to improve shoulder mobility and advice on the use of compression garments to decrease the risk of swelling, if indicated.
Lymphedema is an accumulation of lymphatic fluid in a limb due to removal or radiation of lymph nodes.
"We believe one of the keys to cancer survival is self care," Jennifer Vickerman, cancer care clinical nurse specialist, said. "It is important that women understand what the next steps are, why they are important and what resources are available." Vickerman and Marie Rinaldi, also a cancer care clinical nurse specialist, teach this course.
They also provide community information and support resources. Jennifer Dankwerth, Julie Bottarini and Rachel Berrend, certified manual lymph drainage therapists, co-teach the class.
"Self Care after Breast Surgery" will be held 9 - 11 a.m. in the Dorothy E. Schneider Cancer Center, Mills Health Center, San Mateo. The next class is Sept. 16. Call 696-4582 to register.