Improving Access to Lymphoedema Screening and Early Intervention

Dr Mohammed Islam MBBS, FRACP

Icon Cancer Centre

Lower Ground 3, 14 Hill Street Southport (07) 5634 2400 | admin.goldcoastprivate@icon.team

Breast cancer is one of the most devastating diseases in Australia. It is currently the most prevalent cancer and second most common cause of death in Australian women.

However, diagnosis and treatment are only the first part of breast cancer care.

During Lymphoedema Awareness Month in March, the team at Icon Cancer Centre Gold Coast Private spread the word about the importance of remaining vigilant during and after breast cancer treatment, as secondary lymphoedema can develop weeks, months or even years post-treatment.

One in five breast cancer patients will develop secondary lymphoedema, where failure of the lymphatic system following treatment results in swelling of one of more regions of the body.

Lymphoedema is a chronic and permanent condition.

It’s more than just a physical condition as it can be debilitating and disfiguring, affecting people physically and emotionally.

Icon Cancer Centre Gold Coast Private provides a lymphoedema screening and early intervention service for people during and following their breast cancer treatment.

Icon’s screening service provides:

• Complimentary screening professionals to identify a person’s identify risk developing lymphoedema using a SOZO machine - the latest technology for breast cancer-related lymphoedema

• Follow-up screening to monitor any changes

• Free screening for one year after treatment finishes

• No referral required for the screening service

• Access to further treatment if required

Beaudesert resident, Carolyn Drynan was diagnosed with breast cancer in November last year following a routine mammogram.

The 65-year-old works alongside her husband and three children on the family’s properties, farming beef cattle.

“I’ve been having mammograms every two years and I’d had no symptoms leading up to that screening,” says Carolyn.

“Two weeks after my mammogram, they called me back to have an ultrasound done.

“That picked up a small lump, which I couldn’t even feel.

“I had a biopsy and that confirmed it was cancer.

“Thankfully my husband was with me with I received the news because I was in shock and I didn’t take in what they were saying.”

Carolyn had surgery on 30 December and started radiation therapy at Icon Cancer Centre Gold Coast Private in February.

During her first week of radiation therapy, Carolyn drove the three hour round trip from Beaudesert to the Gold Coast each day for treatment.

She then opted to stay in the area during the week to have her treatment, returning home to Beaudesert on weekends.

Carolyn recently completed her treatment and has now turned her attention to monitoring for lymphoedema.

“The team (at Icon Cancer Centre Gold Coast Private) have been great in giving me all the information I need to stay on top of lymphoedema,” says Carolyn.

“I’ve started the screening process using the (SOZO) machine.

“I’m doing everything possible not to develop it.

“I do my exercises twice a day and I’ll definitely keep up with my screenings after I’ve finished treatment.”

For more information about lymphoedema, visit iconcancercentre.com.au/treatment/ lymphoedema