Lib Dem Leader Gives Support To Lymphoedema Awareness Week, UK

Main Category: Lymphology/Lymphedema
Article Date: 15 Apr 2009 - 1:00 PDT

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The leader of the Liberal Democrat party, Nick Clegg MP, has given his support to the British Lymphology Society as they hold their first ever national awareness campaign for the condition, Lymphoedema.

Lymphoedema currently affects more than 100,000 people in the UK and Ireland and often it is poorly diagnosed, with some sufferers being told that nothing can be done to help. Provision for treatment varies greatly from region to region and many doctors are sceptical about treatment for Lymphoedema as well as confusing the condition with obesity or simple skin infections.

Nick Clegg MP said in a letter of support to the British Lymphology Society, "The BLS is playing a vital role in promoting awareness of Lymphoedema both to the public and within healthcare. This is of crucial importance for the many people suffering with Lymphoedema in the UK. I wish every success for the forthcoming campaign, and that this in turn will lead to better diagnosis, more effective treatment and more support for those living with Lymphoedema."

It is vitally important that the campaign raises awareness of this condition amongst the healthcare professionals, particularly GPs, so that they can diagnose the condition quickly and help patients get access to the right treatment. A dedicated website, which forms part of the first national campaign to raise awareness of the condition, can be found at www.blsawarenessweek.co.uk and will carry information for patients as well as healthcare and GP practitioners.

Lymphoedema is swelling of limbs and body due to the accumulation of lymph - a colourless fluid which forms in the body naturally. Normally it drains back into the blood through a network of vessels and lymph nodes. But if the drainage routes become blocked or damaged lymph accumulates in the tissues and swelling occurs. Lymphoedema leads to changes in the tissues which greatly increase the risk of hardening and infection.

It can be unsightly disfiguring and depressing because the changes in skin tissue which result from Lymphoedema require constant attention, yet at the same time the swelling can severely limit mobility and permanently damage the self-esteem of sufferers.

It can be primary or secondary in nature. Primary Lymphoedema develops as a result of a fault within the lymphatic system itself. It can affect men women and children of any age. Secondary Lymphoedema is the result of damage to the lymphatic pathways. This may be the result of treatment for cancer, surgery or radiotherapy, or as the result of infection, injury, burns or other trauma affecting the lymphatic system.

BLS is a small medical charity whose members are predominantly health care professionals who deal with Lymphoedema on a day to day basis. They wish to promote awareness and understanding of the condition so that resources for its treatment may be more rationally allocated; and so that treatment can be more effective and improve outcomes for patients.

Source
British Lymphology Society