According to this study, more than 1 in 5 patients who undergo breast cancer treatment will develop lymphoedema associated with this treatment. Breast cancer related lymphoedema (BCRL) is treated with Complex Decongestive Therapy (CDT) which is a combination therapy of hands-on therapy (Manual Lymphatic Drainage, MLD), bandaging, exercise, and compression garments.

A Cochrane review was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of MLD in isolation as well as in combination of other CDT on volumetric changes, adverse events as well as outcomes on function, subjective sensations, quality of life and cost of care. The authors also explored mild breast cancer related lymphoedema (BCRL) vs. moderate to severe, as well as the time since onset of the lymphoedema (1 year).