LPG-MLDfinal C/BM.indd

Director, Jan Douglass is a Vodder Therapist and Marielle Esplin is a Vodder Therapist and Occupational Therapist, Lymphoedema Assessment Clinic and Department of Surgery, Flinders Medical Centre and University, Bedford Park, Adelaide, Australia Breast cancer is a significant cancer in women and it has a number of treatment-related side-effects. Perhaps one of the most significant side-effects is lymphoedema of the breast, trunk or arm. A recent review has indicated that an average of 30% of women who undergo breast cancer treatment will develop secondary arm lymphoedema (SAL) (Williams et al, 2005). However, this rate varies between 3% to more than 44% according to a range of factors including the staging of the axilla, the amount of breast tissue removed, tumour location, radiotherapy and body mass index (BMI). A review of breast and trunk oedema also showed significant problems, with some studies indicating that 23% of patients experienced swelling even following regarding sentinel lymph node biopsy — and the use of radiotherapy is being reduced and targeted more efficiently, there will remain a cohort of women who will need to manage this distressing condition. There have been a number of therapies that have been established to help treat SAL and it is crucial that clinicians have a clear understanding of both established techniques and emerging therapies.