Why is there no cure for lymphoedema?

[LymphSuppNetwork]

In the next of our video questions Professor Mortimer discusses why there is not yet a cure for lymphoedema.

youtu.be/ibG4PIiFPMA(Not working as expected?)

[sharon1234]

Very interesting. Thank you

[NievesAzules]

It is interesting (and frustrating) that lymphedema and for that matter the lymphatic system does not garner the attention of more than just a small fraction of the medical research community. I wonder how this (or if this) will ever change.

[onelegbigger]

This is true, now many of us were aware of Lymphodema before we unfortunately acquired it. Mine was caused by the removal of lymph glands in my pelvic area, but although the surgery was bi lateral only 1 leg is affected. I think this is because the affected leg also has a trapped nerve, but of course this cannot be confirmed. Only sufferers know how it impacts our lives and it is often undiagnosed by GPs, my own had to do his own research. This is why it is low on the list of research fields.

[Dotty11 in reply to onelegbigger]

Same here: one leg bigger than the other following bi lateral pelvic lymph removal . My balance is really bad causing trips and falls. I have regular Lymphoedema clinic appointments. Take care x

[NievesAzules]

Yes, my own new physician allows me to take the lead in determining my treatments as he informed me that they spend precious little time on the lymphatic system in medical school.This then begs the question as to why medical schools do not spend more time on the lymphatic systems and the diseases related to it.

[Perido]

I think it would be great if a TV documentary was made about lymphoedema. In the video above, Prof. Mortimer mentions that it doesn't capture the imagination like HIV, for example. I appreciate that lymphoedema isn't life threatening or transmissible like HIV but I think some footage on the realities of living day to day with lymphoedema would do much to raise awareness and sympathy for the disease.

I have decided to lay my inhibitions aside and not to hide my lymphoedema; I don't cover my leg up (weather permitting) and I talk about it where suitable opportunities arise. I like to think if everyone with lymphoedema did this it would go some way to getting it more widely recognised which would help pave the way to getting it further up the agenda of the medical research world. I have also distributed flyers about e learning for lymphoedema to my local GP surgeries and pinned up a poster about it in my local community hall - flyers and posters are available from the Lymphoedema Support Network (LSN).