Posted On: May 29, 2020 by Essentially Women in: Compression Essential Advantage Essential News Lymphedema Vendor News
By: Mark Rabe, Vice President Business Development, lmpediMed
This article was first featured in the 1st Quarter 2020 issue of Essential Advantage.
Cancer-related lymphedema currently affects about one-third of patients who have undergone surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. It is painful, incurable, and lifelong. However, it can be prevented ... but only if it's caught early and treated.
The forefront of cancer-related lymphedema prevention:
TEST, TRIGGER, TREAT™
TEST
When patients are diagnosed with certain types of cancers, they will have a fluid-tissue measurement recorded - using lmpediMed's bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) device, SOZO® - for a baseline L-Dex® score. Patients are then remeasured at routine intervals after cancer surgery to track changes in their L-Dex score.
TRIGGER
If a patient's L-Dex score increases 6.5 points or more from the baseline, clinicians are "triggered" to evaluate the patient for early-stage lymphedema and initiate intervention.
TREAT
Early intervention of "triggered" patients treated with compression garments has been shown to reduce the progression of lymphedema by 95% in breast cancer patients1.
Our goal is that every cancer treatment institution will implement the TEST, TRIGGER, TREAT protocol in their pretreatment baseline tests and regular post-surgical analyses with a goal of early detection. With the proper protocols in place, cancer-related lymphedema can be detected and managed before it becomes a debilitating chronic condition.
However, we need your help! As the core to treatment, you have a voice and you are an integral part of the prevention continuum. By referring a Lymphedema Prevention Program to your cancer center contacts - and even working with them to implement the program - you will provide the essential TREAT aspect of the program.
Unfortunately, there are many cancer survivors that are at-risk of lymphedema; Advocating for the implementation of the TEST, TRIGGER, TREAT protocol is the first step in providing access to an underserved community of patients in need of compression garments.
For more information on cancer-related Lymphedema Prevention Program and learn more about becoming a preferred vendor for treatment garments at your cancer center, visit: www.preventlymphedema.com/EssentiallyWomen.
References
1. Ridner SH, et al. A Randomized Trial Evaluating Bioimpedance Spectroscopy Versus Tape Measurement for the Prevention of Lymphedema Following Treatment for Breast Cancer: Interim Analysis. Ann Surg Oncol 2019; https://Âdoi.org/10.1245/s 10434-019-07344-5.
2. Whitworth PW and Cooper A. Reducing chronic breast cancer-related lymphedema utilizing a program of prospective surveillance with bioimpedance spectroscopy. Breast J. 2017;1-4.
lmpediMed Inc.
5900 Pasteur Court, Suite 125, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Toll Free: +1-877-247-0111
Email:[email protected]
©2020 lmpediMed Limited. lmpediMed and L-Dex are registered trademarks of lmpediMed Limited.
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