Advances in medical care could stop patients from developing lymphedema, swelling in the limbs that can result when lymph nodes are removed during cancer surgery. Two recent articles about lymphedema feature MSK health care professionals discussing ways to prevent it through surgical practices and physical therapy.

In 2014, the American Society of Clinical Oncology updated its guidelines. Now it recommends not removing sentinel lymph nodes in patients with early-stage breast cancer if cancer is in only one or two nodes. In a Reuters article, MSK’s Dr. Monica Morrow explains that if cancer has spread to these nodes, it will be targeted by the radiation, chemotherapy, or hormone therapy that is the post-surgical standard of care.

Even when lymph node removal is necessary, precautions can lower a patient’s lymphedema risk. A U.S. News and World Report article features MSK physical therapist Ms. Debbie Mattera. While working with patients to regain range of motion, she educates them on how to reduce their lymphedema risk by avoiding injury and sunburn, exercising slowly, and reporting any swelling to their doctors. She recommends patients seek out a physical therapist with experience working with cancer survivors.

A recent article in the Journal of the American College of Radiology by MSK clinicians determined that second opinions frequently change the interpretation of diagnostic breast imaging. As reported by HealthImaging.com, a second opinion prevented five percent of patients from receiving unneeded surgery and resulted in a new cancer diagnosis for four percent of the 147 patients included in the study. In total, second opinions led to a change in interpretation of the diagnostic imaging 51% of the time, including both downgrades and upgrades to breast lesions.

Summer is officially here! Time to head out of the office, hit the beach, and enjoy that sun and surf. But first, grab the sunscreen.

A recent article in MetroKids provides sunscreen advice from several dermatologists, including MSK’s Dr. Steven Q. Wang. Their consensus? No matter your skin tone, you need to protect your skin. For the best protection, use a sunblock that both absorbs UV rays (chemical sunscreen) and blocks them (physical sunscreen) or layer on one of each type. SPF 50 is sufficient for blocking 98 percent of the sun’s UVB rays — the protection from a higher SPF is minimal, and may lead you to think you can stay out in the sun longer. While spray sunscreens are better than no sunscreen at all, the spray often misses skin and doesn’t apply enough. And as we often forget when we’re having fun in the sun, reapply every two hours.

For even more sun safety tips, read this item from MSK’s On Cancer blog.