Despite changes in breast cancer treatment, recommendations and precautions regarding lymphedema and procedures in the ipsilateral arm have been ingrained in patients as well as physicians. Patients might chose to live with a painful but treatable condition, or physicians themselves might discourage patients from having an elective surgery, even in the absence of lymphedema. Thus patients often forego surgeries for hand and upper extremity conditions, though there is little data in the literature and no consensus in the recommendations for these patients. Learn more about twenty years of research that can put your mind at ease, and lead you to the relief you seek.