29/06/2026
1 in 5. Think on these numbers for a moment.
One in five women who've been treated for breast cancer will develop lymphoedema in their lifetime.
Not one in a hundred. Not a rare complication. One in five.
And that's just breast cancer. When you factor in all the women living with lymphoedema from gynaecological cancers, post-surgical swelling, lipoedema, chronic venous insufficiency, or just a lymphatic system that's quietly struggling — the number of women affected by lymphatic dysfunction in this country is staggering.
Most of them don't know help exists. Many are told to just "watch for swelling." Some wait years before anyone connects the dots.
That's the gap I've been training to step into. It is something I am deeply passionate about.
When I came home from Sydney having completed my CANpractice certification through the Casley-Smith method — the gold standard of lymphoedema therapy in Australia, and one of the most respected approaches globally it was a major milestone for me because it brings genuine, much needed support to our commuity.
This isn't a wellness upgrade. This is clinical, evidence-based, specialist training.
Women's health is frequently down played and dismissed.
Your lymphatic system is not a background character in your health story.
It's the system responsible for clearing waste, managing fluid, supporting immunity, and recovering from surgery, injury, illness, and cancer treatment. When it's compromised — through surgery, radiation, infection, or structural differences like lipoedema — the effects ripple through everything. Energy. Pain. Mobility. Confidence. Quality of life.
And for women specifically? The statistics are not kind.
The research tells us that up to 40–42% of breast cancer survivors will develop lymphoedema within ten years. For those who've had full axillary lymph node dissection, that figure can be much higher still.
These are not rare outcomes. These are your friends, your sisters, your mothers.
Manual lymphatic drainage performed by a trained practitioner is measurably different. It's specific. It's methodical. It works with the anatomy of your lymphatic system.
If you or someone you care about is:
- Navigating breast cancer treatment or recovery
- Post-surgical and dealing with swelling, tightness, or scar tissue
- Managing a lipoedema or lymphoedema diagnosis
- Just noticing something feels "off" and can't get answers..I'd love to have a conversation.
Thank you Sue for inspiring this today!l I love catching up with you. X
