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H.R. 4662 - Medicare Lymphedema Treatment Bill Officially Introduced

9th NLN International Conference Sept 22 - 26, 2010

Conference Registration

Abstract Submissions

Weight Lifting and LE: Clearing Up Misconceptions

NLN Position Papers: Risk Reduction, Treatment, Exercise, Air Travel, Training

Financial Assistance for Garments:

New Books:
100 Questions and Answers About Lymphedema

Lymphedema Management: A Comprehensive Guide for Practitioners

Updated NLN Online Patient Questionnaire

Patient Participation in Clinical Trials

National Lymphedema Network

Patient Participation in Clinical Trials

Clinical research is growing in hospitals and Academic Institutions in the United States. With this growth comes the need for clinical trials and active patient participation. Please check the location and if you fit the study.

These trials can be forerunners to medical breakthroughs. The more patients who participate in these studies, the stronger the outcomes.

Please spread the word in your support groups and share with your medical team.

NLN Research Committee

Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee

Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema Research Study

Vanderbilt University School of Nursing and Rehabilitation Associates of Naples are conducting a study to see how different types of lymphedema treatment impact symptoms, quality of life, and arm swelling

If you are a Breast Cancer Survivor and you suffer from Lymphedema, you may be eligible to take part in this study. If you are interested, please contact Colin Kanar, MD, or Ellen Poage, MSN, of Rehabilitation Associates of Naples at (239) 593-0918. You can also email Dr. Sheila H. Ridner at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, at Sheila.Ridner@vanderbilt.edu for more information.

This study is sponsored by a grant form the Oncology Nursing Society Foundation.

Home-Based Compression Therapy for Arm and Truncal Lymphedema in Breast Cancer Survivors-A Pilot Study

Up to one fourth of breast cancer survivors develop lymphedema as a consequence of breast cancer treatment. For many individuals, lymphedema is a serious problem. Vanderbilt is beginning a new study to see how compression therapy treatment with the FlexiTouch® System impacts symptoms and swelling in breast cancer survivors with lymphedema.

What is Involved?
Participants in the study will:

Be loaned the FlexiTouch® System for home use for one month.

Be completing a series of questionnaires before receiving the FlexiTouch® System and two times during the month they are using the device.

Before receiving the FlexiTouch® System device, and two times during the study:

• Have the fluid volume of both arms measured with a small monitor that has leads that attach to the skin on the hands, wrists, and one foot.
• Have their arms and chest measured with a tape measure.

Keep a record of the days and times they use the FlexiTouch® System at home.

Be paid $10.00 for the each daily self-administered home treatment.

Who is eligible?
If you are a breast cancer survivor who has developed lymphedema and are not currently undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy, you may be eligible. You must live within 50 miles of Nashville, Tennessee, or be willing to come to Vanderbilt University School of Nursing up to three times over a four week period of time.

Are there any risks for participation?
Individuals with a history of blood clots, heart, kidney, or liver failure and individuals with pacemakers or internal defibrillators cannot be in the study. There are no known risks for the measurement of your chest or arms.

How do I find out more information?
For more information, call Sheila Ridner, PhD, RN, at (615) 322-8699,
Email: Sheila.Ridner@vanderbilt.edu

Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, California

New Kaiser Study: Breast Cancer Lymphedema Information and Knowledge Study (BC LINK)

The Division of Research at Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC), in collaboration with the National Lymphedema Network (NLN), is conducting a new study to evaluate the care and treatment of breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) among breast cancer patients recently diagnosed with BCRL. This study will contribute to reducing the number of women with BCRL who go undetected and untreated in a large HMO setting.

You must be a Northern California Kaiser member to participate and have been diagnosed with BCRL within the past six months to 2 years. Patients are randomly chosen from the Kaiser Northern California membership, so not everyone diagnosed with lymphedema after breast cancer surgery will be contacted. If you are contacted by our study staff, please consider participating in this important study.

For more information about the study, please call Julie Munneke, Project Coordinator, at 510-891-3404.

This study was sponsored by a grant from the California Breast Cancer Research Program.

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