Lymphoedema Association SA Inc.
LASA
Support Empowerment Advocacy
Our Vision - Positive Health Outcomes for South Australians Living with Lymphoedema
Our Mission - Promotion of Positive Health Outcomes for the SA Lymphoedema Community through Peer Support, Empowerment and Advocacy
We started the conversation with our members last year about winding up the Lymphoedema Association SA and joining the national Lymphoedema Association Australia and we now have confirmation from Consumer and Business Services that our deregistration is complete.
Please follow us in joining the national Lymphoedema Association Australia as we take our strong local representation and combine it with a national voice to serve our SA lymphoedema community well into the future. As a result of generous donations made by members, through bequests and support from other organisations we have been able to develop and maintain this website. Our role has been to only offer evidence based information from reliable sources that will help support you in your decision making. We do not give medical advice and we do not provide referrals or recommendations on treatments.
In time all our LSGSA/LASA resources and history will be preserved and this website will be wound up.
We continue to appreciate your support so please follow us over to the national Lymphoedema Association Australia and join here
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare released a landmark document for the lymphoedema community and the
health professionals who treat them titled
'Towards an estimate of the prevalence of lymphoedema in Australia'
This document states “Poor management of lymphoedema will have a negative impact on physical and psychosocial health, with pain and discomfort frequent symptoms. People with lymphoedema also have increased susceptibility to acute cellulitis, requiring hospitalisation and antibiotic therapy. The purpose of this report is to assess the utility of a range of data sources to provide an estimate of the number of people in Australia living with lymphoedema.
This report focuses on 6 key priority information areas: • risk factors • presence of condition • treatment and management • individual impact (quality of life and disability) • population impact (expenditure, costs) • demographics of the population/ study sample.
This work will provide the basis for future analytical reports describing the prevalence of lymphoedema and aligns with the vision of the National Strategic Framework for Chronic Conditions, particularly Objective 2: the provision of effective and appropriate care to support people with chronic conditions to optimise quality of life (AHMAC 2017).”
Many organisations and advocates have been calling for a national approach on lymphoedema for years and this document outlines why it is so important to manage this condition well. If you are interested in reading this document you can access and download it here
Spotlight on Compression - Victor Harbor That's a wrap!
Thank you to all the amazing speakers, product suppliers, Girl Guides for catering, LASA Committee and all who attended a very wet and wintery day at Victor Harbor. The feedback was fantastic! Many of you left with door prizes generously donated by our Trade Stands and most importantly you all left empowered with a deeper understanding of compression and its role in managing lymphoedema!
Images from the LASA Lymphoedema Information Day Saturday June 17th at Victor Harbor SA
Our Last Coffee Catch Up for 2023!
Tuesday December 5th@ 10.30am Balthazar Café, 20 Fiveash Dr, Pasedena
We need to confirm numbers for this event so please Contact Us To Register!
What is Lymphoedema?
Lymphoedema is a condition where an excess accumulation of fluid and other tissue changes results in swelling of the affected body part. This can occur in one or more regions of the body. Lymphoedema usually affects a limb although it may also involve the trunk, breast, head and neck or genital area. A primary lymphoedema is due to a malformation of the lymphatic vessels and may become apparent at birth, adolescence or later in life. A secondary lymphoedema occurs when lymphatic vessels are damaged through medical treatment, trauma or infection.
You may be at risk of developing lymphoedema if you have had cancer treatment, lymph nodes removed through surgery or treated with radiotherapy, had lymph node damage through trauma or have poorly developed lymphatic vessels since birth. Lymphoedema can be managed with massage, compression, exercise, skin care, laser therapy, dietary considerations and a range of other treatments.
Meet our Patron Professor Neil Piller
Professor Neil Piller is a Lymphologist and Director of the Lymphoedema Clinical Research Unit at Flinders University.
He is a researcher, media expert and involved with lymphoedema and lymphoedema research around the world.
Neil is also an enthusiastic kayaker and fisherman, having come from a fishing family.
He has kayaked in Antarctica, down the Zambezi River in Africa, with the Killer Whales in Canada, the lakes of Norway and in many places in Australia. He is also a regular surfer (but only when the water is warm!). The LASA are both proud and delighted to have Professor Piller as our Patron.
He has kayaked in Antarctica, down the Zambezi River in Africa, with the Killer Whales in Canada, the lakes of Norway and in many places in Australia. He is also a regular surfer (but only when the water is warm!). The LASA are both proud and delighted to have Professor Piller as our Patron.
Need a little support?
Peer Support
Empowerment
Advocacy