The Lymphoedema Support Network’s new book is now available...
"During the COVID-19 pandemic, people needed the LSN more than ever, our phones never stopped ringing, emails flooded in, and people were grateful to be able to find someone who understood lymphoedema, particularly as many clinics were closed at that time. While we had previously thought of producing an LSN book about lymphoedema, lockdown showed us that we really needed to action the idea. People needed to know what they could do at home to help their lymphoedema and they needed us to share our accumulated experience and information in a clear and practical way.
Anita Wallace MBE, Chair of LSN
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The aim of our book is to not only cover information about lymphoedema but to try and answer the types of questions we are asked on a regular basis. We were delighted to have the backing and support of Denise Hardy, the LSNs Nurse Advisor, and Professor Peter Mortimer, LSNs Chief Medical Advisor, who have both had extensive input to the book.
Lymphoedema is a long-term condition and cannot be cured so it’s vital that people who live with it are empowered with the information they need to help manage their swelling on a daily basis. This is true for everyone living with any chronic condition and would be true even if everyone with lymphoedema had access to healthcare professional experts in lymphoedema to guide them.
However, the stark reality is that there are not enough lymphoedema clinics with sufficient NHS funding to treat the over 400,000 people living with the condition in the UK, and even if this situation changed, there are simply not enough fully qualified lymphoedema practitioners to treat everyone. So, whether people attend a clinic, completely self-manage their condition, or do both, we are confident that reading our book will leave them with a better understanding of lymphoedema and what they can do to help themselves.
The LSN has shared over 30 years of information and experience, including member’s quotes, hints and tips, and personal thoughts. The book is largely based on the LSN’s accumulated library of patient information, which has all been written specifically for the LSN by dozens and dozens of fully qualified lymphoedema practitioners, and other healthcare professionals. As with all our information, it has been reviewed and updated to reflect current thinking.
It covers a wide range of topics, from the key elements of lymphoedema care, right through to a chapter explaining what people need to know about surgical options. There are chapters on breast and torso lymphoedema as well as head, face and neck, and genital swelling. Lymphoedema in pregnancy, young children and teenagers has also been included. There is even a chapter about Self Lymphatic Drainage (SLD), which includes four demonstration sections, one each for, arms, legs, breast and chest, and face, head and neck, together with photos showing people exactly how to carry it out. As far as the LSN is aware, this is the first time this type of information has been published in a book such as this!
It should also be noted that, while our information carries the PIFTICK quality mark which shows that this is patient information that can be trusted, it is not designed to replace information that people may have been given by their individual health teams.
Whether people sit down and read our book in one sitting, or choose to dip in and out, we hope that it will be interesting, inspiring, and valuable as they travel their lymphoedema journey"
“This is an excellent resource and full of useful detail and practical information. It’s brilliant that you are bringing everything together”
Dr Anne Williams, Lymphoedema Nurse Consultant
“I am impressed by the vast amount of information the book contains it is certainly a great tool - just what is needed. My overall impression is that it is a book that will appeal to many people, medical professionals, and organisations. The book answers a lot of questions with an infectious desire to find out more. A book that certainly has something for everyone. Well done”
LSN member
The book, is A5 in size, printed in full colour and has over 100 images. The cost of the book is just £15 plus £3.50 postage & packing and can be ordered from the LSN website:
