Lymphedema Education for the Breast Cancer Survivor

Cancer Treatment Centers of America ® Lymphedema Education for the Breast Cancer Survivor Presented at: Well-Healed: A Survivor Celebration Presented by: Jane A. White, PT, MPT, CLT Date: August 30, 2012

Breast Cancer Statistics• Most common cancer affecting women in U.S.• Death rates declining – attributed to increased awareness and earlier disease detection• One in 8 American women will be diagnosed during their lifetime• Over 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in U.S. 2 © 2012 Rising Tide

Lymphedema• What is it? – Definition: Lymphedema is an abnormal accumulation of protein rich fluid in the interstitial tissue. – This leads to swelling of a body part, usually in the extremities but also occurring in the face, neck, trunk, abdomen, or genitals. – Two types: primary and secondary • Primary – may be present at birth or develops in childhood or at puberty for unknown reasons • Secondary – known cause, such as surgery or radiation therapy for breast cancer. 5 © 2011 Rising Tide

Lymphedema• Who gets it? – Anyone who has had surgery, radiation, infection, or trauma. – Any event that interrupts the normal lymphatic pathway – Undeveloped countries, filariasis is the most common cause of lymphedema 6 © 2011 Rising Tide

Early Identification• Early treatment may lead to better outcomes• Lymphedema is a chronic condition; no cure• Must be well-managed to maintain quality of life and be able to perform activities of daily living• Detecting subclinical lymphedema (bioimpedance) 8 © 2011 Rising Tide

Who can treat lymphedema?• Medical professionals who have received specialized training• Nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists• Directories available (see reference page) 9 © 2011 Rising Tide

How is it treated?• Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) – Gold standard of treatment – Four components • Skin care • Manual Lymph Drainage • Compression Therapy • Decongestive Exercises 10 © 2011 Rising Tide

What can I do today?• Be aware of potential “red flags” of lymphedema development• Learn all you can – empower yourself through education• Be prepared to educate others (including your physician)• Consider adopting the risk reducing behaviors suggested by the NLN.• Maintain normal body weight 16 © 2011 Rising Tide

In Closing• The goal of this presentation was to inform you – not scare you.• Conquering cancer is always the primary focus• Every treatment has some type of side effect• Knowledge gives you control – if you did not know before, you now know what to look for and what to do• It is about healing the whole person, improving quality of life, and restoring hope! 17 © 2011 Rising Tide

References• American Cancer Society. (2011). What causes lymphedema? Retrieved from http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/PhysicalSideEffects/Lym phedema/WhatEveryWomanwithBreastCancerShouldKnow/index• Klose Training & Consulting, LLC. (n.d.). Therapist Directory. Retrieved from http://www.klosetraining.com/TherapistDirectory.asp• Lymphology Association of North America. (2008). Certified LANA Therapists. Retrieved from http://www.clt-lana.org/therapists/default.asp• National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship. (2012). About us. Retrieved from http://www.canceradvocacy.org/about-us/• National Lymphedema Network. (2011). Lymphedema clinics and therapists. Retrieved from http://www.lymphnet.org/resourceGuide/manualDrainage.htm• National Lymphedema Network. (2012). Position statement of the national lymphedema network. Lymphedema risk reduction practices. Retrieved from http://www.lymphnet.org/pdfDocs/nlnriskreduction.pdf• Norton School of Lymphatic Therapy. (2012). Therapist referrals. Retrieved from http://www.nortonschool.com/therapistreferrals_form.html 18 © 2011 Rising Tide

Lymphedema Education for the Breast Cancer Survivor

by Cancer Treatment Centers of America on Sep 26, 2012

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