World Lymphoedema Day

The Hon. C.J. PICTON (Kaurna—Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (15:07): I rise to acknowledge that yesterday 6 March was World Lymphoedema Day, which falls during Lymphoedema Awareness Week, this week, and International Lymphoedema Awareness Month. For those who may not know, lymphoedema is a condition where the accumulation of excessive amounts of protein-rich fluid within the tissue results in swelling of one or more regions of the body. Lymphoedema usually affects limbs, although it may also involve the trunk, breast, head and neck, or genital area.

There are two types of lymphoedema that may arise because the lymphatic vessels or nodes have been damaged or were not formed correctly. Primary lymphoedema is a congenital condition resulting from abnormal development of the lymph vessels and may be present at birth, develop at the onset of puberty, or not become apparent for many years into adulthood. Secondary lymphoedema is the most common type of lymphoedema and occurs following damage to the lymphatic system which can result from trauma, infections, quite often from cancer treatment involving the removal of lymph nodes and radiotherapy, or can develop with the progression of malignant disease.

Treatment for lymphoedema is centred around an accurate assessment, appropriate garment fitting, education and self-management. Manual lymphatic drainage massage may also help. The South Australian government is pleased to support South Australians living with lymphoedema through the South Australian Lymphoedema Compression Garment Subsidy Scheme. The scheme provides eligible South Australians living with lymphoedema access to up to two subsidised compression garments or adjustable wrap systems per affected body part, every six months at no cost.

Our government are also supporting people with lymphoedema and this important scheme by more than doubling the budget allocation for this scheme since June 2022 to ensure that South Australians with lymphoedema have access to this crucial service. Wearing correctly measured and prescribed compression garments can support people with lymphoedema to reduce the development of complications from lymphoedema and improve their health outcomes. Compression garments are available in a wide variety of designs, fabrics and compression levels. These compression garments and other services and treatments are provided to South Australians with lymphoedema through the public health system or approved private prescribers. Services include assessment, education and management, advice on therapy options, tailored treatment options and prescription of appropriate compression garments.

It is also important that we continue to look to future treatment solutions for those with lymphoedema, which is why the Flinders University lymphoedema research unit is doing just that. The lymphoedema research unit is actively involved in clinical research related to lymphoedema, including clinical trials of various treatment and management strategies.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank all the clinicians and staff involved in treating and supporting South Australians with lymphoedema. I would also like to acknowledge Lyn Balfour and Dr Debbie Geyer, President and Vice-President of Lymphoedema Association Australia, for their continued advocacy and support for those people living with lymphoedema.

I also recognise the work of the Lymphoedema Association Australia in their campaign to increase awareness this month to 'Shine a Light on Lymphoedema'. Lymphoedema Association Australia organised for many of our local landmarks, including Adelaide Oval and our own Parliament House, to be lit up blue last night to raise awareness of lymphoedema. I would also like to acknowledge the passionate patient advocate Monique Bareham, who is a member of the Lymphoedema Compression Garment Subsidy Scheme advisory group and who has been a passionate advocate on behalf of consumers for many years. I was delighted recently to appoint her to the Health Performance Council, representing consumers broadly across our state. She is also a former president of Lymphoedema Association SA.

I also acknowledge Kellie Thomas, another former president of Lymphoedema Association SA and now South Australian working party chair of Lymphoedema Association Australia, for raising awareness and continuing to advocate for South Australians with lymphoedema. Thank you to all of those advocates for the work that you have done that has helped to lead to this scheme and the expansion of this scheme that has helped so many South Australians with this horrible condition.