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Empathy and counselling key to solving lymphedema cases
Highlights
Empathy for lymphedema patients, creating awareness about the disease and counselling sessions for the patients and their relatives are key attributes in orchestrating a holistic treatment therapy, stressed keynote speakers at a session organized by Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital (NSSH) in collaboration with the India Lymphedema Foundation (ILF), a non-profit organization formed to create awareness about lymphedema and provide a platform for connecting patients with medical professionals.
Empathy for lymphedema patients, creating awareness about the disease and counselling sessions for the patients and their relatives are key attributes in orchestrating a holistic treatment therapy, stressed keynote speakers at a session organized by Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital (NSSH) in collaboration with the India Lymphedema Foundation (ILF), a non-profit organization formed to create awareness about lymphedema and provide a platform for connecting patients with medical professionals.
Lymphedema is a chronic disease which occurs owing to the build-up of lymph fluid if the lymphatic system is faulty or damaged. Lymphedema most commonly occurs in post cancer treatment scenarios when there is a damage to lymph nodes or lymph vessels or they are removed. Stressing on the need for counselling and adopting an effective post-surgery recovery regimen in cancer cases, Dr. Sanjay Dudhat, Oncologist and HOD (Department of Oncology), NSSH, said, “When a cancer case is referred to a specialist, it is extremely important that the patient be provided with proper counselling and made aware of the gravity of the disease.
In recent times, incidences of breast cancer occurrences among patients below the age of 40 are on the rise. Though the cases are largely cured, a specialized physiotherapy session needs to be followed post-surgery on a sustained basis. This can go a long way in mitigating the occurrence of lymphedema which has been greatly reduced owing to modern surgical techniques, increased awareness and post-surgical care.”
Elucidating on the need to increase awareness about lymphedema, Dr. Gurusamy Manokaran, eminent Plastic Surgeon and Lymphologist, Apollo Hospitals, stated, “In the West, there are specialized lymphedema clinics for patients whereas awareness levels regarding the disease are very low in India. Around 40 million people in the country are afflicted with lymphatic filariasis. There are reports of 30% patients developing post-mastectomy lymphedema. Lymphedema is treatable irrespective of its etiology but can become malignant if neglected or left untreated.
There is an immediate need to create multiple treatment centers with therapists and surgical specialists with the establishment of lymphedema clinics in major Indian cities. “Stage 1 and 2 of lymphedema involves non-surgical treatment, reiterated Dr. Manokaran, which involves morbidity control, hygiene, prevention and cure of entry lesions, physiotherapy and pneumatic compression. Stage 3 & 4 of lymphedema need to be treated surgically through physiological operations and micro-surgical procedures.”
India Lymphedema Foundation (ILF) is committed to empowering patients, care-givers and medical professionals with the relevant information and requisite skill-sets to provide the latest treatment procedures for lymphedema. The event was held in association with Rotary Club, District 3140, and was the first of the Lymphedema Awareness Trilogy Seminars held in Mumbai, the latter two scheduled at Fortis Hospital and Saifee Hospital.
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