Dr. Sheri Prentiss 

Dr. Sheri Yolanda Prentiss discusses screening for lymphedema

An Expert Breaks Down Lymphedema Following Cancer Care

Among patients who have undergone cancer care, advocating for baseline lymphedema testing and early detection is a vital part of care, according to Dr. Sheri Yolanda Prentiss, who added that patients should speak with their cancer care team and ask about lymphedema screening.

L-Dex Testing Using a SOZO Device: a method that measures extracellular fluid levels to assess lymphedema risk.

For example, L-Dex testing is recognized in clinical guidelines and by national accreditation programs and is a proven method for preventing lymphedema from progressing to a chronic condition. By seeking early intervention, patients can significantly reduce their risk and improve their long-term quality of life.

In an interview with CURE, Prentiss discussed the importance of early intervention for lymphedema following cancer care. She is the chief medical and equity officer at Culture+; chief resilience officer at ENOUGH Global; president and chief executive officer at S. Phillips Consulting LLC; and an adjunct assistant professor at the University of Illinois School of Public Health, in Chicago.

My main takeaway for patients is to advocate for yourself. If you haven't received baseline testing for 

, if no one has ever measured you with a tape measure, but you've been treated or are in treatment, there's still time. Talk to someone on your cancer care team and say, “Hey, I read or heard about something called lymphedema. No one has talked to me about it. I want to know.” And then, regarding those three questions, you can go to livetoday.org. Click on the tab that says, "Lymphedema Prevention," and you'll see four tabs.

One, “Educate Your Cancer Care Team,” provides you with more education, which you can print out and give to them, because don't assume everyone taking care of you has the same level of knowledge. Number two also gives you those three questions to ask your cancer care team. Number three gives you the opportunity to find out, “Hey, I want the best technology. I want this technology for monitoring. Where can I go?” The third tab on that page allows you to enter your zip code and find out if there's a facility near you that's doing this special type of testing. And lastly, I'll say that this medical device, the one I was talking about that uses BIS technology, is truly shifting lymphatic care from being reactive to proactive, fundamentally improving cancer survivorship outcomes regarding lymphedema.

L-Dex testing is currently recommended in clinical practice guidelines globally, and in the United States. National accreditation for breast centers recognizes this technology as evidence-based for managing lymphatic issues, solidifying its role not only in early detection but also in prevention.

Patients, my fellow patients, go out there and make sure you get tested on a SSOZO device. They're out there. Find them. Trust me, you do not want your life or career derailed by 

. You can prevent it. Be a part of that 92% who get early intervention and never have to deal with chronic, disabling lymphedema.

Transcript has been edited for clarity and conciseness. For more news on cancer updates, research and education, don’t forget to subscribe to CURE®’s newsletters here.

Videos

Dr. Sheri Yolanda Prentiss discusses the importance of seeking early intervention to detect lymphedema following cancer care.

Dr. Sheri Prentiss discusses what steps patients can take to ensure they're being screened for lymphedema prior to starting their breast cancer treatment.

Dr. Sheri Prentiss on Steps for Lymphedema Screening in Breast Cancer

Lymphedema, according to breastcancer.org, is a chronic condition which causes swelling — typically in the arm or hand on the side of the breast cancer treatment — due to a buildup of lymph fluid when the lymphatic system is damaged or disrupted. Because this condition can develop gradually and tends to progress over time, it is important to be aware of the risk of lymphedema.

March serves as Lymphedema Awareness Month, a month which is dedicated to increasing understanding of this condition and how it impacts patients, according to the Northeast Georgia Health System website.

In an interview with CURE, Dr. Sheri Yolanda Prentiss sat down to speak with us on the topic of Lymphedema Awareness Month. She expanded on what lymphedema is, the symptoms of this condition and what steps patients can take to ensure they're being screened prior to starting their breast cancer treatment.

Prentiss currently serves as the chief medical and equity officer at Culture+; chief resilience officer at ENOUGH Global; president and chief executive officer at S. Phillips Consulting LLC; and an adjunct assistant professor at the University of Illinois School of Public Health, in Chicago.

Lymphedema is a buildup of lymphatic fluid that can occur when lymph nodes have been damaged. They can be damaged by the cancer itself, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or a combination of these factors. This buildup of lymphatic fluid leads to swelling. 

Lymphedema occurs in stages, ranging from stage zero to stage three. In the first two stages, zero and one, swelling is not visible, and the condition is reversible. However, by stage two, lymphedema becomes irreversible and develops into a chronic disease that requires lifelong management. 

Here is the thing. Patients are now in a world where they must advocate for themselves. Physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants [are managing] an increasing volume of patients while handling extensive documentation, all while navigating their own lives. I admonish every patient to advocate for themselves and ensure they are screened. The first question you should ask yourself is: What am I doing to ensure the best possible survivorship? Once you have been diagnosed with cancer, your care team’s primary focus is eradicating cancer cells. However, in that effort, other conditions — such as lymphedema — may be overlooked if you are not proactive. These conditions can significantly impact survivorship. 

To ensure proper monitoring, you should ask your care team three key questions at your very first appointment, regardless of whether you are seeing a surgical oncologist, medical oncologist, or radiation oncologist. All three should be able to answer these questions: 

. Do you have a lymphedema management program? If not, where can I go for lymphedema care? 

. What tools do you use to monitor for early detection of lymphedema? Specifically, do you offer L-Dex testing using a SOZO device? 

. How long do you monitor lymphedema patients? 

These three questions are essential to ensure proper lymphedema monitoring and management.

For more news on cancer updates, research and education, don’t forget to 

Dr. Sheri Prentiss

An Expert Breaks Down Lymphedema Following Cancer Care

Dr. Sheri Prentiss on Steps for Lymphedema Screening in Breast Cancer

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