Reducing cancer patientsâ€™ swollen side effect of treatment

It is a side effect of cancer treatment often hidden away and rarely spoken about, but secondary lymphoedema* (or the chronic, often painful swelling of body parts) can have a debilitating impact on the lives of the 8000 Australians diagnosed with the condition each year.

Today, National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre is launching two initiatives to reduce the incidence and improve the treatment and support of all cancer patients affected by lymphoedema.

It is estimated that approximately 20 per cent of survivors from melanoma, breast, gynaecological or prostate cancer will experience secondary lymphoedema. Yet the condition can be effectively managed with early intervention and treatment.

“The swelling associated with lymphoedema can make everyday activities such as walking or writing painful and very difficult,” said Dr Helen Zorbas, National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre Director.

“People with lymphoedema can also experience embarrassment about the way they look, which can significantly impact on their body image and relationships with others. With more and more Australians surviving cancer, improving the quality of life of cancer survivors is becoming increasingly important,” said Dr Zorbas.

Minister for Health and Ageing Nicola Roxon said “Cancer is one of the biggest challenges any of us can face in life. We want to do all we can not only to help people access the most effective treatments, but also to support them in managing any difficult side effects.”

Despite the prevalence of the condition, there has previously been limited evidence-based information to support people affected by secondary lymphoedema and to guide health professionals involved in the diagnosis, treatment and management of the condition.

In response, National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre has developed a range of secondary lymphoedema resources based on the best available Australian and international evidence, funded by an Australian Government grant. The resources include:

a guide for health professionals on the management of secondary lymphoedema
workshop training modules for health professionals and Indigenous health workers, and
comprehensive information for people either at risk of or diagnosed with secondary lymphoedema. The consumer resources have been translated into Arabic, Chinese, Greek, Italian and Vietnamese and a culturally appropriate version is available for Indigenous Australians.

Additionally, National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre is today releasing clinical practice recommendations for the use of a surgical technique shown to substantially reduce the incidence of lymphoedema in breast cancer survivors. The recommendations have been endorsed by the peak national organisation for Australians affected by breast cancer, Breast Cancer Network Australia.

The surgical technique known as ‘sentinel node biopsy’ is a less invasive procedure than has been traditionally used to determine whether breast cancer cells have spread to the lymph nodes under the armpit (see attached fact sheet for more details about the procedure).

“We are pleased to be able to provide guidance on two fronts to both decrease the incidence and improve the management of secondary lymphoedema,” said Dr Zorbas.

(Source: National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre: July 2008)