I developed lymphedema after radiation. It was also my understanding you were at risk for developing lymphedema for pinto five years after radiation. Physical Therapy with breast cancer therapist was awesome. I was fitted for compression bra, had home exercise program. After a year it is pretty much gone. I do not have any injections, IVs, blood draws or blood pressure taken in that arm

@katrina123
You can also get lymphedema from a bug/mosquito bite in the affected arm or a scratch. When camping, I use Avon SOS sunscreen to repel mosquitos and/or ticks. While gardening, I'll wear a gardening "sleeve" to help prevent any scratches. I don't use the ones with the thumbs as I wear gloves which protect the hands and go over the wrists. Here is an example but you can find many online or in a garden store: https://www.thegardenstyle.com/outdoor/gardening-sleeves-and-their-benefits-in-the-garden/

I had stage 1 right breast lumpectomy in 2017 followed by a month radiation along with the boost. About 3 months later I ask about the large size of that breast. It was diagnosed as lymphadema. I went to a breast massge therapist for probably a year when she moved on. I continue to do the massage daily although my oncologist has agred that doing it every other day is fine. It's my understanding I'll be doing the massage forever. I wore the prescribed bra until I wore out the strap. Instead of buying another one, I wear a sports bra. I never had pain just a larger breast than the non concerous breast. So I live with doing the massage and am fine. I'm also a plant based eater and do 45 mn of YMCA exercise and walk every day. My tracker shows 7KM of movement every day. I figure life could be worse