BLS Lymphoedema Awareness Week: The Story

“I can’t get out much any more”

The British Lymphology Society is campaigning for better awareness and understanding of Lymphoedema among doctors and patients through the first BLS Lymphoedema Awareness Week running from 20 to 26 April 2009

Lymphoedema is swelling of limbs and body…due to the accumulation of lymph – a colourless fluid which forms in the body naturally. Normally it drains back into the blood through a network of vessels and lymph nodes. But if the drainage routes become blocked or damaged lymph accumulates in the tissues and swelling occurs. Lymphoedema leads to changes in the tissues which greatly increase the risk of hardening and infection.

There are at least 100,000 sufferers in the UK and Ireland and… provision for their treatment varies from Region to Region. It can be unsightly disfiguring and depressing…because the changes in skin tissue which result from Lymphoedema require constant attention, yet at the same time the swelling can severely limit mobility and permanently damage the self-esteem of sufferers.

It can be primary or secondary in nature…Primary Lymphoedema develops as a result of a fault within the lymphatic system itself. It can affect men women and children of any age. Secondary Lymphoedema is the result of damage to the lymphatic pathways. This may be the result of treatment for cancer, surgery or radiotherapy, or as the result of infection, injury, burns or other trauma affecting the lymphatic system.

Lymphoedema is often poorly diagnosed…some people are still told that nothing can be done to help and many doctors are sceptical about treatment for Lymphoedema and confuse the condition with obesity or simple skin infections. Lymphoedema can often be uncomfortable and although it cannot be cured the major symptoms (swelling and the risk of infection) can be improved and controlled with appropriate treatment. If left untreated the condition will get worse.

The “5Guides”…one for GPs and one for patients will be launched during this national BLS Awareness Week. They have been drawn up in consultation with the Lymphoedema Support Network which represents patients and the Macmillan organisation. Each of the two Guides will flag up 5 key things that GPs, health care professionals and patients respectively need to know about Lymphoedema.

The aim is to provide awareness, clarity and understanding.

Download the Detailed Five Guide Download the Five Guide for GP's Download the Five Guide for Patients


Latest news

BLS Launchs "5 Guides" as Awareness Week gets underway

The two Guides will flag up 5 key things that GPs and patients need to know about Lymphoedema and have been drawn up in consultation with the Lymphoedema Support Network which represents patients and the Macmillan Cancer Support organisation.

Posted on 21 Apr 2009
Lib Dem Leader gives support to Lymphoedema Awareness Week

The leader of the Liberal Democrat party, Nick Clegg MP, has given his support to the British Lymphology Society as they hold their first ever national awareness campaign for the condition, Lymphoedema.

 

Posted on 14 Apr 2009
International Consensus: BEST PRACTICE FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF LYMPHOEDEMA
Lymphoedema is a progressive chronic condition that affects a significant number of people and can have deleterious effects on patients' physical and psychosocial health. Even though it may be greatly ameliorated by appropriate management, many patients receive inadequate treatment, are unaware that treatment is available or do not know where to seek help...
Posted on 23 Mar 2009

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