Cancer patients and those who care for them can get free information on lymphedema, a painful side effect of cancer treatment, by calling a national toll-free hotline Feb. 25.
The hotline, sponsored by the oncology section of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST. The toll-free number is 1-877-NEED-A-PT (1-877-633-3278).
Link: JCN Online - Journal.
The presence of lymphoedema in people with advanced cancer can lead to significant distress for patients and their families. It also presents challenges for health professionals as various medical conditions may co-exist in these patients to produce a progressive oedema that does not readily respond to treatment. Swelling may be confined to one or more limb and may also affect the trunk and genitalia. The swollen limb can become heavy, often complicated by pain and other problems such as lymphorrhoea or a fungating wound. This paper will explore the impact of lymphoedema, describe how various factors contribute to oedema formation in advanced cancer and discuss the management strategies appropriate for this group, within the context of palliative care.
Link: How Arm Lymphedema Happens.
Excellent article with complete explanation in lay terms.
Great information on the prevention page. Every survivor needs to read this. Your doctor and oncologist will NOT give you this information. Your doctor is probably not aware of this information.
Link: The Lebed Method.
Quote from Sherry Lebed Davis, founder of the Lebed Movement: "This program was created by Dr. Marc Lebed, Dr. Joel Lebed and myself, a dance movement specialist, to help increase range of motion, decrease frozen shoulder, work with balance issues, decrease depression and pain, reduce swelling of the limb and be lots of fun and create laughter."
This looks really fun!
Treating Lymphedema
A CBS 2 HealthWatch Report
Oct 19, 2004 3:01 pm US/Eastern
Excerpt: “The body can’t compensate and bring lymph fluid back to the general circulation,” explains Dr. Christian Custodio from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
Excerpt“It’s a chronic medical condition and like most chronic medical conditions we do have ways to manage it. We can kind of minimize the effects of lymphedema but essentially once a patient has lymphedema they have it for their lifetime,” says Sara Cohen.
A cancer complication that's all but forgotten
by Roni Rabin
Excerpt: 'The lymphatic system removes cellular waste and excess fluid from the body. When it's not working, fluid backs up, causing swelling. Lymphedema develops when the lymphatic system is impaired, which isn't always due to cancer.'
Excerpt: "Doctors say a new approach, sentinel node biopsies, may reduce the lymphedema risk, because lymph nodes are removed selectively. Still, too few breast cancer patients are aware of the risk. A medical journal article once called it the "seemingly forgotten complication." It develops, after all, in the survivors - the success stories. Many patients with lymphedema have said they felt abandoned by the medical system. An oncologist told me she's had patients who panicked when their arm became swollen - they thought it was a sign the cancer had returned."
Doctors are very unaware of lymphedema. They will diagnose it only if your arm is visibly swollen and warn to the touch. Ask for a prescription to see a physical or occupational therapist who is specialized in lymphedema if you have any pain in your arm. The lymph flows right under the skin, where the nerve receptors are. Mild swelling, not visitble to the eye, will cause pain. I have a 15% swelling of my left (non-dominant)arm. It is completely invisible, and yet painful.
Excerpt: "Lymphedema is tricky; it may develop immediately after surgery - or it may pop up 10 or 20 years later."
In fact, the longer you survive, the higher your risk of developing lymphedema is.
Excerpt: "Experts say it's important to identify it early and to be on the lookout for the first telltale signs; the affected limb can easily become infected. Treatment can reduce the swelling and help return the limb to its normal size, but it is intensive and time-consuming and not always covered by insurance."
Anyone who has had lymph nodes removed needs to treat their arm as if they have lymphedema. In fact, disturbed lymph flow in the arm makes healing of infections in other parts of the body more difficult as well. Any kind of infection should be treated aggressively because you have a compromised immune system.
Excerpt: "Exercise may be helpful, by activating the lymphatic system; a new book, "Staying Abreast," written by Annie Toglia, a former dancer and breast cancer survivor, with help from a cancer specialist, outlines a series of rehabilitation exercises and stretches designed for women recovering from lympectomy or mastectomy (see www.stayingabreast.com)."
Best exercise for lymphedema is swimming. The slight pressure of the water on the skin along with the pumping action of the muscles really helps encourage lymph flow. A good belly laugh once or twice a day is also good.
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