Effects of Early Preventive Interventions on Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review

Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is among the most common complications associated with breast cancer treatment, yet the effectiveness of early preventive interventions remains unclear.

To evaluate the effectiveness of early preventive interventions for preventing BCRL and explore the optimal intervention components and timing for initiation.

Six English-language databases were systematically searched from inception to March 5, 2025. The primary outcome was the incidence of BCRL. The secondary outcomes were quality of life, upper limb function, and lymphedema-related symptoms. Data were synthesized using RevMan 5.4.

A total of 1116 studies were identified, and 13 studies were included in the final analysis. Early preventive interventions significantly reduced the incidence of BCRL (relative risk = 0.48; 95% confidence interval: 0.29-0.80, P =.005) and improved upper limb function (standardized mean difference = -1.65, 95% confidence interval: -2.79 to -0.51, P =.004). No significant improvement was observed in quality of life, and the effects on lymphedema-related symptoms remain inconclusive. Subgroup analyses did not show significant differences based on intervention component.

Early preventive interventions not only effectively reduce the incidence of BCRL but also improve upper limb function. However, the optimal combination of interventions and the optimal timing for their initiation remain unclear. High-quality randomized controlled trials are needed in the future to further validate these benefits and establish standardized, evidence-based guidelines for early prevention.

Prevention strategies for BCRL should focus on optimizing intervention content, primarily including structured health education and personalized exercise prescriptions based on functional status and treatment history.