A new-look lymphoedema service run by East Cheshire Hospice is hoping to welcome even more cancer patients.
Dozens of patients have already attended sessions at the charity’s Sunflower Living Well Centre (SLWC) within the first six months.
That success encourages Lymphoedema Specialist Nurse Vick Sayers to believe that more people can also benefit.
Criteria for referrals is that lymphoedema must be directly related to cancer or its treatment. Examples are arm swelling after surgery or radiotherapy for breast cancer.
Patients learn about the four cornerstones of lymphoedema management – skin care, exercise, lymphatic drainage massage and compression garments.
Vick said: “Caseload numbers have increased since we developed the programme and there must be others requiring help.
Vick Sayers, who runs the lymphoedema service at East Cheshire Hospice.
“We want to make everyone aware that support and help is available here for those who need it. Patients must be referred by a healthcare professional.
“The service was shut during the SLWC renovations, but referrals have started to come in again.”
The Hospice also runs a lymphoedema support group meeting on a fifth Tuesday in a month.
Vick said: “All sessions focus on educating and empowering patients to self-manage their care, as lymphoedema is a lifelong condition.
“The lymphatic system is vital but often overlooked and underappreciated. It is crucial for immune function, fluid balance and detoxification.
“When a patient has breast cancer surgery their focus, understandably, is on removing the cancer.
“They may be unaware they may be left with swelling in the arm for the rest of their life and may need to wear a compression garment. This can have a psychological impact on their body/self-image.”
Vick was a district nurse for eight years.
She said: “A background in palliative care and bandaging leg ulcers etc helped me understand how fluid exchange works.
“I see new patients recently diagnosed and many who have had lymphoedema for years. I see outpatients on a regular follow up basis until their lymphoedema is controlled and stable.
“The group sessions are fantastic for peer support, sharing techniques and tips, as well as exercising with others in a similar situation. The feedback has been extremely positive.”
Sessions run weekly on Tuesdays (1.3o-3 pm) at the Sunflower Centre. The referral form is on the Hospice website www.eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/how-to-refer.
* Lymphoedema is a chronic condition characterised by swelling in the body’s tissues. It most commonly affects the arms, legs, head and neck. Secondary lymphoedema can be caused by cancer and its treatment
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