Lymphovenous Canada: Air Travel and Lymphedema

Over the past few years evidence-based research have been undertaken on the relationship between air travel and lymphedema. Note: none of these studies looked at the effect of flying on lower limb lymphedema. Below are the most recent studies on this topic:

1. Effect of air travel on lymphedema risk in women with history of breast cancer


Kilbreath SL, Ward LC, Lane K, McNeely M, Dylke ES, Refshauge KM, McKenzie D, Lee MJ, Peddle C, Battersby KJ.

Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2010 Apr;120(3):649-54. Epub 2010 Feb 24.
PMID: 20180016 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

This air travel study found that flying did not cause a significant change in the arms of the majority of 40 breast cancer survivors who travelled to and from Canada to participate in dragon boat racing in Australia. Further research was recommended to determine whether these findings are generalizable to the population of women who have been treated for breast cancer.

2. Airplane travel and lymphedema: a case study.

Ward LC, Battersby KJ, Kilbreath SL.

Lymphology. 2009 Sep;42(3):139-45.
PMID: 19927904 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] This single person study, which used using self-measured, inter-limb impedance ratios as a quantitative measure of lymphedema immediately prior to and following flying, showed that though the inter-arm impedance ratio fluctuated over this time, it generally increased and worsened following flying.

3. Compression prophylaxis may increase the potential for flight-associated lymphoedema after breast cancer treatment.

Graham PH.
Breast. 2002 Feb;11(1):66-71.
PMID: 14965648 [PubMed]

This study assessed the exposure to flying by 287 breast cancer survivors through a survey and arm measurements. The study concluded that domestic air travel was at low risk for causing lymphedema and that compression devices were possibly counterproductive.