Following a diagnosis of breast cancer, there are a number of hurdles that you may need to jump through – from finding the right doctor and deciding where to receive your care, undergoing treatment which can involve breast surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy, to facing side effects such as hair loss and possible weight gain. For many men and women, developing lymphoedema on top of everything else can be like the straw that breaks the camel’s back.
While you may be able to hide or cover up other side effects of cancer, it can be difficult to manage a swollen arm from lymphoedema. For some people, this can also mean social isolation alongside the ongoing costs and constant risk of infection. To prevent the progression of these difficult symptoms, understanding what to look out for to ensure an early diagnosis and ongoing management of lymphoedema can play an incredibly important role.
