Being active with lymphoedema and chronic oedema

The British Lymphology Society (BLS) awareness campaign for 2020 is EveryBodyCan. This exciting initiative aims to encourage those with, or at risk of, lymphoedema to be more active. The campaign will provide advice, tips, suggestions and useful links that health professionals can use to support their patients in overcoming anxieties about activity in general or in relation to any specific activities. Recognising that individuals with lymphoedema may have physical limitations, the campaign is all about showing that there are many options to suit different levels of fitness, and so everybody can do something to help their lymphatic system work more effectively, be actively involved in managing their lymphoedema and reduce the risk of complications. This article explains the reasons behind the campaign and describes some of the activities planned and how people can get involved.

Lymphoedema most commonly affects the limbs, but it may also affect midline structures, such as the head and neck, trunk, breasts and genitalia. It is more common than is generally realised, affecting between 20 000 and 429 000 people in the UK, including children (National Lymphoedema Partnership, 2019). The higher, more recent figure exceeds the number of people in the UK affected by multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, motor neurone disease and HIV, all put together. Thus, the burden of lymphoedema in the UK is significant.