References
- Gillespie TC, et al. Breast cancer-related lymphedema: risk factors, precautionary measures, and treatments. Gland Surg 2018;7(4):379-403.
Empower Your Survivorship Through Early Detection
By addressing lymphedema early, you can take charge of your health and play an active role in your care.
Get Tested
Understand Your Risk for Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema (BCRL)
The lymphatic system runs like a super highway in your body. Certain cancer treatments damage and block the lymphatic system. Lymphedema occurs when fluid builds up due to a block in the lymphatic system.
1 in 5 breast cancer survivors will be impacted by arm lymphedema resulting from their cancer treatment1:
- Surgery
- Radiation
- Taxane-based chemotherapy
If lymphedema is left untreated:
- It can cause painful swelling
- It can lead to infection
- It can become a life-long condition
Take Steps to Prevent Chronic BCRL
1. Ask for a SOZO® test to measure your L-Dex® score
- L-Dex measures extra fluid in your arm at risk (even before you can feel it)
- This helps detect early lymphedema
2. Get regular L-Dex testing on SOZO
- Before cancer treatment as a baseline
- During regular follow-ups
- If you have symptoms
3. Assess yourself for common BCRL symptoms between tests
- Feeling of heaviness or tightness
- Difficulty moving your arm or hand
- Swelling in your arm, hand, and fingers
What if I Need Lymphedema Treatment?
In most people, lymphedema starts with mild symptoms, which is the best time to treat. Treatment for early lymphedema is simple and can be done at home with compression garments.
Take Steps to Prevent Chronic BCRL
- Wear your compression garments daily for 4 weeks (28 days) for 12 hours per day
- Put your garments on when you get up in the morning
- Take your garments off before going to bed at night
- Remember to check your garments periodically to avoid wrinkles
- After 4 weeks, return to your healthcare provider to have your L-Dex score tested using SOZO device and for your lymphedema assessment
FIND A PROVIDER
Get Tested with Your L-Dex Score
Find a place near you to get your L-Dex score tested.
Questions to Ask Your Care Team
Do you have a lymphedema prevention program? If you do not offer a lymphedema prevention program, where can I go to get
lymphedema care?
What tools do you use for early detection of lymphedema? Do you offer L-Dex testing on the SOZO device?
How long do you monitor patients for lymphedema after breast cancer treatment? Knowing that lymphedema develops up to three years or more after cancer treatment, how can I be monitored long-term?
Insurance Coverage
Will my insurance cover the cost of an L-Dex test?
Individual insurance carriers have different policies about covering the cost of an L-Dex test. To learn more, contact your insurance carrier or ask your healthcare provider.
Will my insurance cover the cost of my lymphedema treatment?
Individual insurance carriers have different policies about covering the cost of lymphedema treatment. To learn more, contact your insurance carrier or ask your healthcare provider.