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Lymphoedema refers to swelling or oedema which is comprised of lymph fluid. It is caused by damage
to or malformation of the lymphatic system. It frequently develops after treatment for cancer, most
often breast cancer but also cervical, prostate, bladder and bowel cancer. Furthermore it can occur as
a complication of non-cancer related conditions or can develop independently. The swelling usually
occurs in the limbs. However, it can also occur in other parts of the body such as the head, neck,
breast and genitalia, depending on the location of the lymphatic impairment (Moffatt et al., 2006). It
is a chronic, incurable condition believed to affect at least 1.33 per 1,000 of the population (Moffatt et
al., 2003). Lymphoedema can lead to pain, discomfort, and increased susceptibility to skin infections
such as cellulitis, which may require hospitalisation (Morgan, Franks & Moffatt, 2005). Lymphoedema
can also have significant psychological and social consequences (Morgan, Franks e...
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