LYMPHOEDEMA CARE

PEP Movement is proud to provide an early surveillance and treatment centre for lymphoedema care. As defined by the cancer council:

“Lymphoedema is swelling of part of the body, usually a limb. Lymphoedema can occur as a side effect of cancer treatment when lymph nodes have been removed or damaged causing lymph fluid to build up in tissue under the skin.

Approximately 20% of patients treated for breast, melanoma, gynaecological or prostate cancers will develop lymphoedema.” Cancer Council. Accessed Sept 2022

Please see the Cancer Council “Understanding Lymphoedema” brochure here for a comprehensive information fact sheet. https://www.cancer.org.au/assets/pdf/understanding-lymphoedema

Early Surveillance:

Early detection and timely intervention is critical for lymphoedema treatment. 75% of patients who develop lymphoedema present with symptoms within the 3 years following surgery.

Our model of early surveillance mimics the world leading PREVENT research trial, conducted at sites including the Macquarie University ALERT clinic. Ideally, we encourage patients to come in prior to surgery for a baseline measure. Then every 3 months for 2 years we reassess to monitor for changes, sometimes before they are visually detected, which indicate lymphoedema development.

Lymphoedema Treatment:

If you have been diagnosed with lymphoedema, or trigger the intervention signs from the early surveillance monitoring, the following services are provided by our Australasian Lymphoedema Association qualified practitioner:

  • Patient and carer education

  • Lymphatic massage

  • Compression bandaging

  • Compression garment measure and fitting

  • Exercise therapy

For more information regarding our lymphoedema program, please call our clinic for individualised guidance on how we can best support you.