In summary, prospective surveillance of breast cancer patients (most of whom were considered high risk) for the development of BCRL using BIS permitted the detection and simple pre-emptive management of subclinical disease resulting in a very low rate of chronic lymphedema compared to the established, expected range. These findings (which represent the largest group of patients monitored in a structured, program for early detection of BCRL using BIS) support the cost-effective allocation of resources for prospective, BIS assisted, BCRL surveillance within guidelines-based breast cancer survivorship programs. For women at risk for BCRL, this protocol represents a useful option to meet NCCN guidelines for the education, monitoring and treatment of BCRL. Open access: Yes View