Breast cancer treatment can lead to swelling condition  The early findings of a study by the University of Dayton confirm a common side effect of breast cancer treatment — a painful limb-swelling condition known as lymphedema

LympheDIVAs: Spreading Lymphedema Awareness
Showcased at the World Conference on Breast Cancer in Winnipeg, Manitoba in June 2008, LympheDIVAs sleeves are not just cool, modern, and snazzy, but they are also medically correct.

AAPS: Surgery Effectively Reduces Lymphedema (website)

Understanding Lymphedema (website)

Transcript: Preventing and Treating Arm Lymphedema (website)

Truncal Lymphedema
Lymphedema of the chest wall, breast and back.

Lymphedema Survival Kit
Adapted from Judy Bedell, Breast Cancer Action Ottawa and the book, “Coping With Lymphedema,” by Joan Swirsky, RN and Diane Sackett Nannery, 1998.

No Relief in Sight for Sufferers
It’s time to voice our concerns about the cost for lymphedema treatment. Write your letter to the media now!

How do I know if I have Lymphedema?
Halifax Therapist Sandra MacDonald explains.

Learning about the Impact of Arm Problems after Breast Cancer
An update on Roanne Thomas-MacLean’s research. Now in Saskatchewan, but still tied to Fredericton and Saint John, New Brunswick.

The New Lymph-o-med Mastectomy Vest
A compression garment designed to prevent post surgical complications, like swelling and the accumulation of lymph fluid. Created in Nova Scotia.

Lymphedema – What Breast Cancer Patients Need to Know
A comprehensive resource for breast cancer patients, their families and caregivers. Available in pdf format.

Understanding Lymphedema After Breast Cancer
Dr. Roanne Thomas-MacLean’s research team completed a study of New Brunswick women’s experiences with breast cancer related lymphedema and the effect it had on their lives.

Canadian Lymphatic Researchers

Lymphedema Treatment Available in South West Health
Physician referrals will be accepted from Shelburne, Yarmouth and Digby Counties.

Lymphedema People
This is a website especially created for and by people with the medical condition known as Lymphedema.

Compression Therapy for Lymphedema
Bandaging and compression garments are an essential part of the program called Complete Decongestive Therapy for the management of Lymphedema, but the benefits of bandaging are not as understood or accepted for many reasons. Specialist John C. Andrich, MLD/CDT, encourages those who want to progress and advance in their own lymphedema self-management program to learn and master these bandaging skills for efficient and long-term swelling reduction of their affected limb.

Manual Lymph Drainage
What is Manual Lymph Drainage? If you suffer from lymphedema after breast cancer surgery/treatment or care about someone who does, you most likely have heard the term. Uli Schaufele, Registered Massage Therapist of Body, Mind, Soul Massagetherapy will help you understand what Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) really means and how the treatment works

Living with Lymphedema – Turning “I can’t” into “I can”
Approximately 24% of women who have had breast cancer surgery will develop lymphedema at some point in their life. When you have lymph node removal after breast cancer surgery, it’s easy to start thinking “I can’t” more than “I can” when considering how you will use that hand and arm on your affected side.  The very thought of these restrictions can be overwhelming and a nuisance.  Unfortunately, we have to live with the threat of lymphedema or the condition of  it, all our lives.  So let’s turn all those “I can’t” remarks into “I can”.  Here are a number of scenarios of how you can turn a negative into a positive:

Lymphedema, the “silent challenge”
Much thought, awareness, and action has been invested into early diagnosis and effective treatment of breast cancer. However, little as yet has been done about the early diagnosis and effective treatment of lymphedema. After the shock of a diagnosis of cancer and the dramatic life changes which come with surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, most cancer survivors are busy dealing with reestablishing their physical, emotional, and social realities.

A Patient Report of The First Montreal International Lymphedema Congress
Barbara Thompson of Breast Cancer Action Nova Scotia, went to the Congress to gather information to bring back to Atlantic Canadians who suffer from lymphedema brought on by lymph node removal from breast surgery and treatment.

Lymphedema and Air Travel
For those coping with lymphedema, the cooler temperatures of winter may bring some relief. Many snow birds though are flying south to escape the cold. If you are flying, it is wise to take extra precautions.

Manual Lymph Drainage
Find out more about the Dr. Vodder Method of Manual Lymph Drainage.

The Lymphedema Clinic at the QEII Health Science Center
Find out more about The Lymphedema Clinic located at the QEII HSC, Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Lymphedema People (website)

Use Caution by Wearing a Compression Sleeve when Traveling by Air
You may want to wear some sort of compression on your at-risk arm when traveling by air. Pat O’Connor with Lymphdema People explains why.

No Blood Tests, Blood Pressure, I.V. or Injections into this Arm!
Women who have had breast cancer surgery and treatment know that their arm(s) need to be protected from needles, IVs, and blood pressure tests, but do we understand why? Pat O’Connor with Lymphedema People provides a common sense explanation.

Free Pink Lymphedema Alert Bracelet
Peninsula Medical Inc. (U.S.) is offering free pink lymphedema alert bracelets. Send for yours today.

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