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My mother recovered from breast cancer nearly a year ago. She had her right breast removed. Recently, she's noticed slight swelling in places. She contacted her doctor who has ordered her a sleeve but also recommend my mother moisturise. I was wondering if there were any specific creams that could help, for example oilatum, e45 etc.?

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You might want to google Lymphoedema/ Katy Bates.
she’s done several interviews regarding how she deals with hers and read the comments too as lots of info in those. She actually has had to take breaks on set to get compression and massage done to reduce her lymphoedema. She’s just amazing positive force as you’d never know there was an issue.
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Igloo wrote what I had planned to write.    Removal of lymph nodes, as may happen with breast cancer, can affect the balance of removal of fluids from that particular area.   Lymphedema can develop, fluids are retained, and it can be quite dangerous.

One of the formerly top medical chains in this area held free informational meetings for anyone; I attended one on Lymphedema, and from what I learned, saw it in my aunt, although to my knowledge she hadn't ever had cancer.

Her treatment wasn't that successful, and she died after about a week of battling but being unable to control the fluid retention.   She developed sepsis, which spread rapidly through her body.   She was in her 80's though.

Is your mother's skin "weeping"?  

I echo Igloo's recommendation.  Read up on lymphedema, and find a doctor who specializes in lymphedema;   you might ask your mother's oncologist for a recommendation.

My aunt wore a "sleeve", on both of her legs.  She called them hockey pads and said she looked as if she was a hockey player, which she did.   There's special treatment protocol for weeping skin, as well as compression.

You're wise to address this issue now, but I would ask a specialist in lymphedema about moisturizing, especially since the issue of swelling, weeping and moisture arising from that condition needs to be addressed by someone knowledgable with the specific issue.    It's possible some lotions could block release of the fluid that's not being siphoned through the body for elimination.
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