It’s been just over a year since I visited Sydney to complete my extension training into Lymphoedema care. I was lucky to make it there with the unpredictability of COVID and also an airport closure due to the massive rain bomb that drenched the south-east corner at the time. These kinds of memories always give rise to an opportunity to reflect on how some things have changed and how some things have stayed the same across the year.

A reminder that life can turn on its heels and throw you anything at any time, really. This is something I am constantly reminded of each time I treat my beautiful patients who have been on the cancer journey and have come for help with their Lymphoedema which they have unfortunately suffered as a result.
I think we have all been touched in some way by cancer, whether it be a friend, colleague or family member who has been affected. When my amazing friend Sam was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 40, the same age as I was at the time, it really got me thinking. We all assume it will be someone else’s story and really don’t appreciate what they have been through, or are currently going through. She had no symptoms, and it was randomly picked up when a BreastScreen van visited her workplace. Her diagnosis created a snowball effect of chemo, surgery and ongoing treatment. Thankfully with a good outcome. I was prompted to start getting screened myself, as it felt all a bit too close to home. But it wasn’t until recently that I found myself with just a little glimpse into the possibility of a different outcome after being sent for further testing following an ultrasound. Although my relief was huge with clear results, I couldn’t help but feel for all those people who have not been so lucky. To have to walk, or crawl, through the cancer journey takes so much vulnerability and courage. Especially when you have no idea where the journey will take you.
Really all we have is early detection. The earlier it is detected, the better the chance we have in managing the outcome. The same goes for the management of Lymphoedema. Around 20 percent of people having surgery involving lymph node removal under the armpit will develop Lymphoedema within two years. However, the risk is lifelong. There is a similar outcome for other types of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments for cancer. Learning what to watch out for is very important in the prevention and early detection of this condition and is a big part of where Physiotherapy fits into the management.
So, I encourage you. If there is a health check, or a symptom you have been putting off seeing someone about. Please take action. Sooner rather than later. Even if it is nothing, there is no harm in checking. But there may be harm in leaving it go for too long.