Lymphoedema is everybody's business. This was the underlying theme expressed by speakers at the National Lymphoedema Conference organised for the 12th year in a row by the British Journal of Community Nursing. The support of the British Lymphoedema Society, Lipoedema UK and Lymphoedema Support Network has been instrumental in making this event possible every year. Professionals from all areas of healthcare exchanged opinions, ideas and knowledge regarding Lymphoedema. As always, the conference was a huge success and was attended by more than 230 delegates from across the UK.
As with any long-term condition, lymphoedema has an immense impact on the person's life. It can be emotionally and physically challenging as lymphoedema symptoms can include reduced mobility, skin issues, depression and can lead to possible work limitations. The physical aspects of any chronic disease often take the focus away from its psychological and emotional effects. These eventually take a toll on the person's mental health and may cause lasting trauma if left unaddressed and untreated. Lymphoedema can have extensive psychological effects on the person living with it. Many of the speakers at the conference shared the mental and emotional experiences of patients or family members. They also stressed the importance of educating the patients about making the necessary lifestyle changes to manage and control lymphoedema symptoms.
In terms of quality of life, perhaps the most devastating effect of lymphoedema is the impact it has on self-worth and body image. Byrne et al (2023) conducted a systematic review of nine studies with 977 participants who had developed secondary lymphoedema of the neck, breast, head, skin and genitals following cancer treatment. The common themes that emerged were feelings of depression and body image dissatisfaction, followed by anxiety and distress. This aspect of lymphoedema was also highlighted by one of the speakers as she shared how she eventually embraced the ‘lymphie life’ and became a lymphoedema patient advocate and content creator. Her experiences resonated with the audience as many of the nurses felt that they could use her tips and rituals to help their patients cope with depression and body image issues.
The conference called for greater awareness and action in light of the fact that more than 200 000 people are living with lymphoedema in the UK alone (NHS, 2025). The speakers shared that while early detection is essential, it is often overlooked in different healthcare settings. They explained how early detection can make a significant difference in treatment and can help to transform patient's lives. The speakers stressed the fact that the failure of the lymphatic system to work properly causes lymphoedema and improper drainage of lymph fluid from the body results in swelling. This most commonly affects the arms and legs. The speakers shared that detecting this swelling as lymphoedema early on can help nurses and healthcare professionals play an important role in its management. Timely intervention can only occur if health care practitioners are aware and cognisant of the risk factors which include surgery, cancer treatment or a dysfunctional lymphatic system. This was also highlighted in the presentation focusing on the British Lymphology Society Lower Limb Inflammatory Pathway—a document aimed at supporting differential diagnosis in lower limb cellulitis.
A recurring theme in many of the talks was the emphasis on the correct application of suitable compression garments. The speakers shared evidence backed by research to show that wearing loose or ill-fitting compression garments can exacerbate the swelling in arms and legs. They also explained that many patients were unaware of the proper way of wearing compression garments. Educating patients about the variety of compression garments available and how to use them properly was the key takeaway. Nurses and other healthcare professionals can make a huge difference to the patients' quality of life by helping them find the right fit. Compression becomes a way of life with lymphoedema. Patients must understand the need for compression to make their lives better.
The continued success of the lymphoedema conference is heartwarming. It is a testament to the commitment and dedication of lymphoedema experts, nurses and practitioners. The Lymphoedema Awareness Week (6 to 10 March 2025) is the perfect opportunity to build on the conference's momentum. Let us all do our part to spark conversations and spread awareness about lymphoedema.