JOIN the iced tea party for a cause as Noosa physiotherapist Caroline Kohl raises money for Lymphoedema Awareness Month.
March is international Lymphoedema Awareness Month and Australia’s peak professional organisation for lymphoedema management and education, the Australasian Lymphology Association, is calling on Australians to stay cool, and support raising awareness and vital funds to support lymphoedema with better treatments and cures through the Iced Tea Party campaign.
Helping the cause is physiotherapist and lymphoedema practitioner Caroline Kohl from Physiosync.
“Early detection and intervention is crucial in limiting the debilitating impact of Lymphoedema,” she said.
Lymphoedema is a little-known, yet debilitating disorder which affects an estimated 300,000 Australians. And there is no cure.
Lymphoedema can affect people of all ages and occurs when the lymphatic circulation fails to function correctly causing persistent swelling of the limb(s) and other areas of the body.
Cancer survivors are in the highest risk category for developing the disorder as a side effect of cancer treatment, with 20 per cent of breast and prostate cancer patients developing the disorder.
“Many cancer survivors will unknowingly be developing the early stages of secondary lymphoedema,” Ms Kohl said.
“Without specialised treatment, the condition can progress, causing pain and lack of mobility and put the patient at a higher risk of infections.”
“Education of those most at risk and other health professionals about the early signs and symptoms will help manage and minimise the impact lymphoedema has on the health and quality of life of cancer survivors. It will also help to reduce the cost of treatment to our health care system.”
As part of the iced tea party campaign, Physiosync has a collection tin at the Noosa clinic.
Visit lymphoedema.org.au for more information.
