New Lymphoedema Website Goes Live

The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation (NZBCF) is delighted to announce a new website on the medical condition of Lymphoedema is now live. Lymphoedema is a swelling of tissue caused by build-up of lymph fluid, such as in an arm or the chest wall on the side of breast cancer surgery.

The website - www.lymphoedemanz.org.nz – has been designed and created by a collaboration by NZ’s Lymphoedema Therapists and is designed for everyone to use – the NZ public, consumers and health professionals.

The website provides a wealth of information about Lymphoedema services, support and resources in NZ, as well as links to reputable international Lymphoedema information.

For women newly diagnosed with breast cancer and undergoing treatment it can be difficult to know where to source information and services for Lymphoedema management and treatment in NZ.

Specifically, the website provides:
• Printable information pages explaining Lymphoedema and advice on prevention and management
• International links to resources and information
• District Health Board (DHB) Lymphoedema Services
• A list of NZ National Lymphoedema Therapists
The Foundation granted a total of $2,797 towards the development and uploading of content to the website as part of their Community Outreach Grants programme.
Evangelia (Van) Henderson, Chief Executive of The NZBCF, says that the website is a superb addition to online medical information.

“The information is of an extremely high standard, and demystifies this - often – poorly understood medical condition in a very accessible way,” she said.

Denise Flett, Lymphoedema Therapist and Breast Care Nurse Specialist, considers the website fills a most important gap in online medical information for the NZ public.

“The outcomes of recent Lymphoedema research have greatly improved prevention and management of Lymphoedema, such as a new assessment tool called Bioimpedance. Bioimpedance determines the amount of fluid within tissues by a non-invasive electrical signal applied to limbs; it is used prior and after surgery/radiation therapy. Providers in NZ of Bioimpedance can be found on the website,” she said.

In the past, where to find a Lymphoedema Therapist in various regions of NZ has been difficult; this website provides the location and access details to all NZ’s registered Lymphoedema Therapists.

ENDS

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