UHL physiotherapists honoured for reducing 'distressing condition' in cancer patients

A TEAM of specialist physiotherapists from University Hospital Limerick (UHL) have been recognised for “significantly reducing” the incidence of clinical lymphoedema in cancer patients in the Mid-West.

Sinead Cobbe and Kathy Nugent are at the heart of the lymphoedema early detection service, which won the MSD Excellence in Oncology Award at the Hospital Professional Awards 2024.

Of almost 450 patients – the majority with a diagnosis of breast cancer - referred to the service between September 2021 and January 2024, the incidence of clinical lymphoedema has reduced from an expected 25% to under 2% through the intervention and support of the UHL team.

Lymphoedema is a swelling that can occur in the arm, hand or torso after cancer treatments including surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. These treatments can lead to a build-up of lymph fluid which causes pain, skin changes and reduced function. This can be very distressing and adversely affect quality of life.

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“What our work and research has shown is that lymphoedema is not only preventable, but also reversible when it is caught early,” said senior physiotherapist Sinead Cobbe. 

“Our message to patients who have had lymph node surgery done, or who are otherwise at risk, is to know their risk level. Those at high risk can lead a normal life but do need to add in some maintenance strategies like massage, losing excess body weight and exercise.”

Since the establishment of the UHL service in 2021, initially with the support of the Irish Cancer Society, the evidence has shown that patients can significantly reduce their risk of developing lymphoedema through prompt assessment, patient education and ongoing monitoring.

Kathy Nugent, senior physiotherapist, said: “When patients initially come in to see us, they are very worried about what they may have been told or read online about lymphoedema. 

“We help them to stratify their risk and hopefully they walk out of our service knowing what they can do about it. And we are always available for any patient who goes on to develop symptoms.”

Shirley Real, group lead for Allied Health, Acute Hospitals, HSE Mid-West, said she is “so proud of Kathy and Sinead” 

“We continue to empower patients at risk of, or living with, this often devastating complication through the development of a patient app which will be launched in the Mid-West later this month,” she said.