ABOUT THIS VIDEO:
When breast cancer spreads, it usually goes to the lymph nodes of the armpit first. To see if the cancer has spread to the armpit, the surgeon will perform a procedure called a Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (SNLB). During the procedure, surgeons will inject a dye and/or radioactive tracer near the tumor. The first lymph nodes that absorb it are called the sentinel nodes. Out of the 20-40 lymph nodes in the armpit, there are usually between 1-5 sentinel lymph nodes. The surgeon will remove the sentinel nodes and send them to a pathologist to be examined for cancer cells. If they are free of cancer, patients can often avoid the removal of additional lymph nodes.
In this video, Sabrina Korentager, RN, discusses the risk of lymphedema (swelling) from Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy and what you can do to lower your risk.
ABOUT SABRINA:
Sabrina Korentager has almost 30 years of nursing experience and holds a master’s degree in nursing as well as licensure as a Lymphedema Therapist. She was part of the team at the University of Kansas Cancer Center that developed the nation’s first comprehensive lymphedema early detection and prevention program for breast cancer patients. She has collaborated on several published medical journal articles on the early detection and intervention of breast cancer-related lymphedema.
Sabrina continues to contribute to the field by offering consulting services to healthcare organizations to assist with the design and implementation of lymphedema early detection and prevention programs. She speaks at the national level, educating healthcare professionals and the public on lymphedema-related issues in breast cancer care.