Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Advances, Advocacy & Hope
In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, moderator Brenda Viola welcomed special guest Rochelle Brannon, MPT, OnCS, CLT-LANA, alongside Karen Ashforth and patient advocate Catherine Rosenberg, for an encouraging conversation about breast cancer-related lymphedema, advances in treatment, and the power of patient advocacy.
We’ve Come a Long Way! The panel reflected on remarkable progress in breast cancer treatment and lymphedema care over the past two decades. More targeted cancer therapies, improved diagnostic tools, earlier referrals to rehabilitation specialists, and emerging surgical approaches offer greater hope for patients. Rochelle emphasized that today’s clinicians have more resources than ever to help patients manage their condition and improve quality of life.
Your Voice Matters. Patients often arrive at appointments armed with research after years of searching for answers. Rather than dismissing their questions, Rochelle and Karen emphasized the importance of listening, validating experiences, and developing individualized treatment plans. Catherine, who has lived with lymphedema for 35 years, reminded viewers that clinical expertise and lived experience must work together. You know your body better than anyone.
Compression and Medicare Coverage. A lively discussion addressed the importance of properly fitted compression garments and expanded Medicare coverage. Custom garments may be medically necessary when standard sizes cannot adequately accommodate a patient’s limb shape or tissue changes. The panel encouraged patients to work with certified lymphedema therapists who can assess their needs, document medical necessity, and help navigate coverage requirements.
Know When to Seek Help. Audience questions highlighted the importance of recognizing possible infections and seeking prompt medical attention. The panel cautioned against using pneumatic compression or manual lymphatic drainage during an active infection without appropriate medical guidance. Persistent symptoms deserve further evaluation, and sometimes a second opinion can make all the difference.
Don’t Give Up! Perhaps the evening’s most powerful message was one of persistence and hope. Finding the right provider may take time, but Rochelle reminded viewers that sometimes all it takes is one knowledgeable, compassionate clinician who truly listens to open the door to better care.
Catherine encouraged patients to keep asking questions, researching options, and thinking outside the box when answers aren’t forthcoming. No two lymphedema journeys are exactly alike.
As the Roundtable concluded, the panel celebrated the resilience of breast cancer survivors and everyone living with lymphedema.
Keep advocating. Keep learning. Keep moving forward. There is help available, advances are happening, and you are never alone on this journey.