Hyderabad KIMS Lymphedema Clinic Launch

World Cancer Day is marked on 41h February to raise awareness about cancer and to encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment. It is led by the International Union against Cancer (UICC), a global consortium of 350 cancer-fighting organizations in over 90 countries. World Cancer Day targets the public through global communications marking, and encourages policy makers and UICC member organizations to make cancer a political priority. Cancer is one of the ten leading causes of death in India. It is estimated that in India, there are nearly 1.5 - 2 million cancer cases at any given point of time. Some 10 Lakh new cases are diagnosed every year & 4 lakh people succumb to Cancer in India every year. According to World Health Organization (WHO) statistics, the incidence of cancer cases in India is expected to reach 15 Lakh new cases per anum by 2015.

In his introductory address, Dr Raghu Ram, Director & Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon at KIMS-USHALAKSHMI Centre for Breast Diseases highlighted the fact that 'Cancer does not just affect the body. It affects the mind body and soul. Just treating the physical being does not complete cancer treatment. Cancer diagnosis can leave a host of problems in its wake. LYMPHOEDEMA is one such distressing side effect which in simple terms means 'swelling of the arm & breast'. The risk of lymphedema is higher in women who have had both surgery and radiation therapy to treat breast cancer.'

Dr Raghu Ram went on to explain that Lymphoedema is a long-term condition, which means that once it has developed it can be controlled but is unlikely to ever go away completely. Treatment is aimed at encouraging other healthy parts of the lymph system to work more effectively and to prevent further problems or complications. The symptoms of Lymphoedema usually respond well to treatment and this means that in most cases it can be controlled. There is no way to know who will get lymphedema. But there are things one can do to try to prevent it. And recognizing it early and starting treatment right away can help manage it.