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What We Did
Surgical procedures for breast cancer can lead to different post-surgical complications, such as, arm lymphoedema or truncal oedema. Truncal oedema may occur with or without arm lymphoedema. It is triggered by surgery (lumpectomy, mastectomy) or\and radiotherapy that affects the lymphatic drainage pathways. We wanted to explore if Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is as helpful for reducing truncal swelling as it is for arm swelling by providing therapeutic massage sessions delivered by a trained specialist Physiotherapist, monitoring results and questioning participants about their quality of life as a result of this therapeutic massage technique.
Who Was Involved
St Georges Cancer Care Centre, External private funder via UC Foundation.
Why It Matters
Ongoing improvements with surgical techniques aiming to get the best possible results with minimal side effects is a continual process for cancer treatment and management. Women living with swollen arms and trunk, because of disruptions in the flow of their lymphatic system caused by surgery, find it very challenging from a physical, psychological and functional sense. Perfecting and monitoring the therapeutic massage technique (Manual Lymphatic Drainage) is very important to improve the quality of life for these people, to enjoy a free range of movement for activities of daily living, to be able to fit and wear a normal range of clothing all assists with their psychological and social wellbeing.
