Self Care Advice For Breast, Chest Wall, Axilla Oedema- Sue Hansard, Lymphoedema Nurse Specialist

For our joint campaign LWO Community and PhysioPod UK were delighted to receive the following top ten tips..

Sue Hansard is a Lymphoedema Nurse Specialist at First Lymph Care.

Sue also added the following very helpful information:

FIRSTLY: If you think you have developed Lymphoedema in the breast, chest wall, axilla..... DON’T PANIC.

Breast Lymphoedema, if assessed, diagnosed and treated promptly can resolve completely and can be reduced to self management levels similarly to limb Lymphoedema .

WHAT IS IT?

Put simply: swelling in the breast tissue, or the chest wall which occurs after trauma or infection or following treatment for breast cancer. It occurs more frequently following removal of lymph nodes and /or radiotherapy or less commonly after chemotherapy.

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

The affected area is the operated side of the chest, including breast, chest,

armpit and the upper back on the operated side.

Any of these areas may be visibly swollen, may feel soft, or firm and feel tender/sore. The skin may be pink/red and may appear tight or dimpled like orange peel. There may be a dull ache or sharp pain, pins and needles, tingling or numbness all due to damaged nerves and the pressure of fluid within the tissues which aggravate the nerve endings.

It is vital that you are assessed by a Lymphoedema specialist who can advise , treat and teach you appropriately.

Your Lymphoedema therapist. will ultimately be aiming to reduce your swelling , reduce your pain, improve skin and show you how to confidently self- manage it in the longer term.

MY TOP 10 TIPS FOR SELF MANAGEMENT

INFOGRAPHIC