WHAT IS LIPOEDEMA?

This is the second Lymph Fact Sheet addressing lymphoedema following treatment for head and neck cancer. Life-long risk reducing activities for patients at risk of lymphoedema in the head and neck have already been described and this fact sheet focuses on the identification, impact and different management strategies used for lymphoedema in the head and neck region. It’s intended to support lymphoedema practitioners who may be referred this group of patients for management of their swelling.

Why movement is your best defence against lymphoedema. You’ll find lots of tips for how to get started with lymphoedema-safe movement on thebls.com.

The aim of this document is to provide: 1. Practical information for clinical decision-making for health care professionals managing lymphoedema. 2. Key principles for practice. 3. When to safely apply compression in the presence of acute DVT.

BLS gratefully acknowledge the contribution of Dr Malou van Zanten, Senior Research Practitioner in Lymphovascular Medicine and Dr Bernard Ho, Clinical Fellow in Dermatology and Lymphovascular Medicine, both at St George’s University Hospital London, to the production of this Lymph Fact Sheet.

Beverley de Valois PhD LicAc FBAcC MBLS About the Author Beverley de Valois qualified as an acupuncturist in 1999, is a Fellow of the British Acupuncture Council, and was awarded a PhD in 2007. She is a researcher with a special interest in investigating how acupuncture can be used to support cancer survivors, and has conducted many preliminary studies in the Supportive Oncology Research Team (SORT), East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre. She was Chair of the British Lymphology Society Scientific Committee from 2017-2020.