An Expert Breaks Down Lymphedema Following Cancer Care

Among patients who have undergone cancer care, advocating for baseline lymphedema testing and early detection is a vital part of care, according to Dr. Sheri Yolanda Prentiss, who added that patients should speak with their cancer care team and ask about lymphedema screening.

For example, L-Dex testing is recognized in clinical guidelines and by national accreditation programs and is a proven method for preventing lymphedema from progressing to a chronic condition. By seeking early intervention, patients can significantly reduce their risk and improve their long-term quality of life.

In an interview with CURE, Prentiss discussed the importance of early intervention for lymphedema following cancer care. She is the chief medical and equity officer at Culture+; chief resilience officer at ENOUGH Global; president and chief executive officer at S. Phillips Consulting LLC; and an adjunct assistant professor at the University of Illinois School of Public Health, in Chicago.

Transcript:

My main takeaway for patients is to advocate for yourself. If you haven't received baseline testing for lymphedema, if no one has ever measured you with a tape measure, but you've been treated or are in treatment, there's still time. Talk to someone on your cancer care team and say, “Hey, I read or heard about something called lymphedema. No one has talked to me about it. I want to know.” And then, regarding those three questions, you can go to livetoday.org. Click on the tab that says, "Lymphedema Prevention," and you'll see four tabs.

One, “Educate Your Cancer Care Team,” provides you with more education, which you can print out and give to them, because don't assume everyone taking care of you has the same level of knowledge. Number two also gives you those three questions to ask your cancer care team. Number three gives you the opportunity to find out, “Hey, I want the best technology. I want this technology for monitoring. Where can I go?” The third tab on that page allows you to enter your zip code and find out if there's a facility near you that's doing this special type of testing. And lastly, I'll say that this medical device, the one I was talking about that uses BIS technology, is truly shifting lymphatic care from being reactive to proactive, fundamentally improving cancer survivorship outcomes regarding lymphedema.

L-Dex testing is currently recommended in clinical practice guidelines globally, and in the United States. National accreditation for breast centers recognizes this technology as evidence-based for managing lymphatic issues, solidifying its role not only in early detection but also in prevention.

Patients, my fellow patients, go out there and make sure you get tested on a SSOZO device. They're out there. Find them. Trust me, you do not want your life or career derailed by lymphedema. You can prevent it. Be a part of that 92% who get early intervention and never have to deal with chronic, disabling lymphedema.

Transcript has been edited for clarity and conciseness. For more news on cancer updates, research and education, don’t forget to subscribe to CURE®’s newsletters here.