Lymphoedema is a disease that causes chronic, non-curable swelling of parts of the body. Although it can arise for many reasons it affects approximately 25% of breast cancer sufferers. Every year there are around 850 new cases of this type of lymphoedema in Scotland alone. Despite these figures, very little is known of this condition, which can be very physically, emotionally and socially disabling. To counteract this an academic from the University of Glasgow is leading the organisation of the British Lymphology Society Annual Conference, between October 2-4, to help raise awareness amongst health professionals and the public of lymphoedema and the treatment and support available for sufferers.

Lead conference organiser, Margaret Sneddon from the University's Division of Nursing and Midwifery, and Vice Chair of the British Lymphology Society explains:

"Lymphoedema usually involves the swelling of one or more limbs, and treatment can improve and control the swelling and prevent serious complications such as acute infections, which are costly to treat. However many sufferers are denied treatment because of lack of knowledge in this area and poor and inequitable provision of services. For example some services will only accept referrals if the lymphoedema has been caused by cancer or its treatment, when there are several other causes. Some patients are advised that their condition is not sufficiently severe to warrant referral to a specialist, whereas treatment is much easier and more effective if started earlier."

"In Scotland, there is a wide variation in how lymphoedema services are resourced and organised within Health Boards. However Glasgow is well served with a team of 3 specialist working in Primary Care and 3 part-time specialists providing a service in the Beatson Oncology Centre, of whom Margaret is one. There are also several practitioners around Glasgow who are skilled in assessing patients and managing mild, uncomplicated lymphoedema."

Margaret Sneddon and her team of researchers from the University have been awarded an impressive grant of £61, 800 from Macmillan Cancer Relief to undertake a one-year study to map the existing lymphoedema services throughout Scotland and to undertake a prevalence study of the city. The results will provide some much needed information on the current situation and identify where the gaps in service provision exist. It will therefore inform the development, implementation and evaluation of a strategic framework for lymphoedema services in Scotland.

A public lecture has been arranged at the end of the conference on Tuesday 4th October at 3.45pm. Delivered by Neil Piller, an eminent Professor from Australia the talk is entitled: "Lymphoedema. You CAN make a difference: Understanding treatment and management strategies and your role in them." The event is free but anyone who wishes to attend should contact Tracy Hirst-Marsden of the British Lymphology Society at Tel 01959 525524 or by email at admin@blsac.demon.co.uk. The website for further information is www.lymphoedema.org/bls.

Media Relations Office (media@gla.ac.uk)

For further details please contact the University Press Office on 0141 330-3535, or Margaret Sneddon on 0141 330 2071 or email: mcs7r@clinmed.gla.ac.uk. Please note that case studies of patients with lymphoedema are available, contact Margaret Sneddon for fuller details.

Note that the conference has been organised with the help of the Scottish Lymphoedema Practioners group.

The Lymphoedema Support Network is a registered charity with an aim of supporting and providing information to people with lymphoedema. Run by people who themselves have lymphoedema, it has close links with the British Lymphology Society and has been very actively campaigning in England for improved services. They will be in attendance at the conference and would be more than pleased to discuss any issue with local press. Should any patient wish to contact them the website is www.lymphoedema.org/lsn. They may also be contacted on Tel: 020 7351 4480 or email adminlsn@lymphoedema.freeserve.co.uk.

First published: 30 September 2005