Lymphoedema: The ‘hidden’ cancer side-effect no one talks about

Patients who beat cancer can be left with an incurable, chronic and painful condition. Sufferers and doctors alike are fighting to bring this hidden condition to light.

During a visit to the oncologist to discuss his cancer treatment, my late uncle gestured to his legs – both limbs had swollen to around three times their normal size. He was fatigued, in pain, and unable to move normally because of the excessive swelling
“Oh, that’s lymphoedema, there’s nothing we can do about that, I can tell you that much,” the clinician said in response, dismissing my uncle’s pain and concerns.
I remember being shocked at the blasé attitude of the doctor to something that was causing my uncle so much discomfort and serious mobility issues. Lymphoedema can often occur in patients with cancer or who are undergoing cancer treatment. I couldn’t believe there wasn’t anything the doctor could do to alleviate my uncle’s pain.
What happened to my uncle wasn’t unique. Lymphoedema is an incredibly common condition, which affects 250 million people globally. In the UK, 450,000 individuals have lymphoedema, while in the US there are as many as 10 million people suffering from the condition.