Patients at risk of developing arm lymphoedema after breast cancer treatment should be offered prophylactic compression sleeves, according to world-first guidance.

Axillary reverse mapping and prophylactic lymphatic reconstruction can also be considered in certain cases “where expertise is available and resources allow”, says an international panel of clinicians.

While chronic lymphoedema is irreversible and difficult to treat, the team — including researchers from Flinders University in Adelaide — says preventive interventions can still cut the risk of breast cancer–related arm lymphoedema (BCRAL).

The panel of 55 experts reviewed data from more than 60,000 patients from high-quality randomised controlled trials.