News

Ramsay Health Plus adopts latest Lymphoedema surveillance technology for breast cancer patients

Oct 12, 2021

Advances in lymphoedema surveillance are offering hope to women undergoing breast cancer treatment.

Ramsay Health Plus Clinical Lead Physiotherapist Oncology and Lymphoedema Lizzie Eastwood said there had been some promising technology and research breakthroughs to help prevent lymphoedema.

“The aim of these advances in surveillance and early intervention is to prevent the occurrence and progression of lymphoedema,” Ms Eastwood said.

Lymphoedema is the persistent swelling caused by a blockage of the lymphatic system and occurs in about 20 per cent of patients following breast cancer treatment 1. Lymph node removal, radiation therapy and chemotherapy can increase the risk of lymphoedema.

There is no cure for lymphoedema but it can be managed. Symptoms include swelling, aching and difficulty moving the limb. Symptoms are easier to manage if lymphoedema is diagnosed early.

“The goal of pre-treatment screening, regular monitoring and early intervention is to prevent lymphoedema,” Ms Eastwood said.

The Lymphoedema Surveillance Care at Ramsay Health Plus in Nedlands involves the new SOZO bioimpedance spectroscopy machine and a Screening Clinic.

“Bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) measures the amount of extracellular fluid in a limb,” Ms Eastwood said.

“BIS can measure a two teaspoon change in a patient’s arm, often before a clinical sign or symptom of lymphoedema is felt or seen.

“BIS helps give us a head start in detecting the first occurrence of lymphoedema.

“Catching lymphoedema in its initial phase means we can treat and hopefully resolve it more quickly and effectively.” 

Ms Eastwood said the Screening Clinic involved taking BIS measurements in patients before their breast cancer treatment.

“During regular follow ups, we monitor a patient’s lymphatic health with BIS and provide self-care advice,” Ms Eastwood said.

“These strategies can help each patient to prepare and hopefully recover from the lymphatic overload that can be caused by their breast cancer treatment.

“There are currently 82 women who are being supported in Lymphoedema Surveillance Care.”

Ms Eastwood said the BIS and surveillance model was considered the ‘gold standard’ for breast cancer care after the 2019 Vanderbilt PREVENT trial that tracked 1100 breast patients in the USA and Australia for three years.2

“The trial demonstrated that pre-treatment screening, regular monitoring and early intervention for the first signs of lymphatic fluid overload reverses breast cancer-related lymphoedema in 95 per cent of cases,” Ms Eastwood said.

Ms Eastwood said these advances in lymphoedema surveillance were being implemented in hospitals across WA.

Breast Cancer is the growth of abnormal cells in the breast and is the most common cancer in women of all ages. 3

Ramsay Health Plus, at Hollywood Private Hospital, provides support before, during and after breast cancer treatment.

Ramsay Health Plus Clinical Lead Physiotherapist Oncology and Lymphoedema Lizzie Eastwood uses the SOZO machine to take the BIS measurements from breast cancer patient Lisa Johnson.