Secondary Lymphoedema Initiative

National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre (NBOCC) was awarded a grant by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing in June 2007 to undertake a 12-month program to improve the knowledge and management of secondary lymphoedema following treatment for all cancers

Key components of the project include:

Evidence review

A systematic review of relevant literature to establish the evidence base for developing information and educational material for consumers and clinicians. It identifies where there is evidence and where evidence is lacking.

Review of research evidence on secondary lymphoedema: Incidence, prevention, risk factors and treatment › View pdf (3.9 MB 4 pgs)

Consumer information

• Information leaflet for all patients with cancer who may develop lymphoedema
• Information booklet for patients who are diagnosed with lymphoedema after treatment for cancer.
• Specifically tailored culturally appropriate versions for Indigenous people.
  These resources will be translated into five languages (Chinese, Vietnamese, Arabic, Greek and Italian).

Health professional information

• Clinical guide

The management of secondary lymphoedema - a guide for health professionals › View pdf (1.8 MB 4 pgs)

• Professional development component including resources to assist Divisions of General Practice to host local workshops, on-line learning module for rural and remote practitioners and a satellite broadcast through the Rural Health Education Foundation (RHEF).

It is expected that all these resources will be completed by June 2008.

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Evidence review

National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre (NBOCC) commissioned an evidence review in August 2007 to inform the development of evidence-based education and information programs about secondary lymphoedema for health professionals and consumers.

The objectives of the review were to:

• describe the prevalence, incidence and nature of secondary lymphoedema following treatment for cancer
• identify risk factors associated with the development of secondary lymphoedema following treatment for cancer
• provide an overview of the evidence pertaining to strategies for prevention of secondary lymphoedema
• describe the evidence surrounding treatment strategies for secondary lymphoedema.

The evidence review has now been completed. The report, titled Review of research evidence on secondary lymphoedema: Incidence, prevention, risk factors and treatment summarises the best available evidence published between 2005 and September 2007 (the date of completion of the review) and includes a total of 39 eligible studies › view evidence review pdf (3.9mb) 83pgs

 

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Health professional information

• Clinical Guide

The management of secondary lymphoedema - a guide for health professionals. The guide has been developed to support health professionals in the assessment and management of men and women who may develop lymphoedema after treatment for cancer. It summarises:

• at risk population
• early warning signs
• assessment
• treatment and management (including the management of cellulitis)
• referral
• specialised treatment
• psychosocial and emotional well-being

On the back cover a flow-chart outlines the treatment pathway. › view clinical practice guideline pdf (1.8mb) 4pgs

 

 

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