British Journal of Community Nursing最新文献

{"title":"Patient perspective on lymphoedema after breast cancer: evidence for 3D micro-massage compression.","authors":"Sian Pearce, Lorraine Nisbet","doi":"10.12968/bjcn.2026.0136","DOIUrl":"10.12968/bjcn.2026.0136","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Approximately 55 900 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK each year, and around one in five develop lymphoedema following treatment. Breast, trunk and arm lymphoedema arise from disruption to shared lymphatic drainage pathways during axillary surgery and radiotherapy, yet the condition remains under-recognised and under-referred in many post-treatment care pathways and women can struggle to find appropriate bras to support their care needs.</p><p><strong>Aims: </strong>This article explores why and where lymphoedema develops after breast cancer treatment, presents the patient experience of living with breast and trunk lymphoedema, and evaluates the clinical evidence for 3D micro-massage compression technology - specifically the Solidea® Silver Wave Skin Bra - as an adjunct to standard lymphoedema management.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This article combines a narrative review of current evidence on breast and trunk lymphoedema with first-person patient testimony and findings from a pilot audit of 21 women with breast and/or trunk lymphoedema following breast cancer treatment. Audit outcome measures included the clinician-completed Breast Symptom Assessment Score, the wearer-completed Self-Report Symptom Rating Scale, structured wearer feedback and qualitative telephone follow up at approximately 26 days and 11 weeks.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>Women sometimes report a delay between symptom onset and receiving support, alongside difficulty sourcing an appropriate, comfortable bra; these issues are compounded further for those wearing a breast prosthesis. In the pilot audit, mean Breast Symptom Assessment Score reduced by 60% (from 5.8 to 2.3) over approximately 26 days, with moderate-to-severe swelling falling from 70% to 15%, breast hardness from 90% to 65%, and night-time discomfort from 85% to 45%. All 20 completing participants showed improvement, with 100% rating comfort as excellent or good; the lowest-rated domain in self-reported symptoms scales was degree of support, particularly among women with cup sizes above D.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Breast and trunk lymphoedema is common, chronic and profoundly life-limiting, with psychological and social impact that compounds the burden of breast cancer treatment. Proactive risk information, early referral and holistic support are essential.</p><p><strong>Implication for practice: </strong>3D micro-massage compression may support self-management alongside complete decongestive therapy, but clinicians should consider patient suitability and the current evidence gaps in larger-breasted women and other garment formats.</p>","PeriodicalId":35731,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Community Nursing","volume":"31 Sup10","pages":"S6-S11"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149026110","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The role of gentle rotational movements and skin stretches in softening fibrosis in lymphoedema: a refined approach to self-care.","authors":"Rachael Victoria Hutton","doi":"10.12968/bjcn.2025.0145","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12968/bjcn.2025.0145","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>While the body of evidence supporting manual lymphatic drainage and self-lymphatic drainage in the treatment of lymphoedema remains limited, clinical experience and positive patient outcomes highlight the potentially substantial benefits of these techniques. Over the years, the author has refined these practices to simplify and enhance effectiveness for patients, particularly through the incorporation of delicate rotational movements and subtle skin stretches aimed at softening fibrosed tissue. This article explores the pathophysiology of lymphoedema and the challenges associated with fibrosis, and presents a streamlined but effective approach to self-lymphatic drainage that improves both patient comfort and clinical outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":35731,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Community Nursing","volume":"31 Sup10","pages":"S12-S17"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149026200","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of climatic variations on lymphoedema: an international comparison.","authors":"Susan Witt, Michael Oberlin, Sue Gordon, Narelle Campbell, Neil Piller","doi":"10.12968/bjcn.2026.0048","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12968/bjcn.2026.0048","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Lymphoedema is a chronic condition that requires ongoing, daily management. It can have a significant impact on an individual's quality of life and comes with a high personal and health service cost. Lymphoedema is a highly dynamic disease requiring constant adaptation of management techniques to prevent worsening of the symptoms.</p><p><strong>Aims: </strong>To understand differences in lymphoedema management across the changing seasons in Germany and Australia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Focus groups were conducted in Germany with people living with lymphoedema by following a phenomenological approach. Outcomes were compared to those from focus groups previously conducted with people in Australia.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>There were high similarities between countries, with most participants reporting that heat and humidity caused increased challenges in managing lymphoedema, namely that the affected limb felt heavier, more swollen and caused increased lethargy. European participants tended to do more self-bandaging and more regular therapy appointments than their Australian counterparts.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>All participants reported needing to consider the weather in planning their daily activities, with a large range of strategies implemented to keep their swelling in check and prevent further decline.</p><p><strong>Implications for practice: </strong>Further research in this area will subsequently contribute to treatment recommendations and may benefit production of new materials that can, in the light of predicted climate change, prepare for the future.</p>","PeriodicalId":35731,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Community Nursing","volume":"31 Sup10","pages":"S39-S45"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149026164","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"From denial to connection: the importance of the male voice.","authors":"Matt Hazledine","doi":"10.12968/bjcn.2026.0133","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12968/bjcn.2026.0133","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Living with a chronic illness often means your life is divided into two distinct chapters: who you were before, and who you are forced to become after. In this article, Matt Hazledine talks about his cellulitis infection, being told he had lymphoedema and what he has done to help other men who have been diagnosed with this condition.</p>","PeriodicalId":35731,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Community Nursing","volume":"31 Sup10","pages":"S30-S33"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149026097","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sunny summer roadshows in Birmingham and Derby.","authors":"Karen Friett","doi":"10.12968/bjcn.2026.0157","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12968/bjcn.2026.0157","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":35731,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Community Nursing","volume":"31 Sup10","pages":"S38"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149026100","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Raising the profile of lymphoedema.","authors":"Rida Fazal","doi":"10.12968/bjcn.2026.0158","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12968/bjcn.2026.0158","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":35731,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Community Nursing","volume":"31 Sup10","pages":"S4"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149026152","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Beyond information: empowering self-management through early intervention and shared responsibility.","authors":"Yolande Borthwick, Lorraine Brown","doi":"10.12968/bjcn.2026.0156","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12968/bjcn.2026.0156","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":35731,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Community Nursing","volume":"31 Sup10","pages":"S35-S36"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149026154","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Self-management in secondary lymphoedema: clinical evaluation of a single-bandage multicomponent compression system.","authors":"Pascal Filori","doi":"10.12968/bjcn.2026.0145","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12968/bjcn.2026.0145","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Secondary limb lymphoedema significantly impairs patients' quality of life. Effective decongestive treatment requires strong compression therapy, but limited access to specialist care and the poor acceptability of conventional systems may reduce adherence.</p><p><strong>Aims: </strong>This clinical evaluation aimed to assess the acceptability, efficacy and safety of an innovative multicomponent compression system in a single bandage that can be applied by patients or their relatives.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 10 adults, with stage II secondary lymphoedema affecting a single lower limb, received training in bandage self-application and their progress was followed for 4-5 weeks. Main outcomes included lymphoedema volume reduction, change in quality of life (EuroQol-5D-3L), patients' acceptability and safety.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>The bandage was reapplied daily by patients or their relatives, most often their spouse, and worn ~22 hours per day. Rapid and pronounced reduction in lymphoedema volume was measured, comparable to those achieved in specialised hospital settings, together with substantial improvements in patients' quality of life, including mobility, daily activities and pain or discomfort. The bandage was well accepted, easy to apply, and compatible with normal footwear. No adverse event was reported.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The new bandage provided effective decongestion of stage II lymphoedema and enabled self-application by patients or relatives, thereby supporting patient autonomy, potentially improving adherence, and reducing reliance on specialist services and associated healthcare costs. Additional studies should be considered to further evaluate this multicomponent compression bandage in a larger cohort of patients.</p><p><strong>Implications for practice: </strong>These results support its use in lymphoedema management, as a promising alternative to conventional systems used in routine practice, particularly for patients who wish to take an active role in managing their condition.</p>","PeriodicalId":35731,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Community Nursing","volume":"31 Sup10","pages":"S18-S27"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149026084","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"One contract, one Wales: standardising lymphoedema garment provision through a national procurement model.","authors":"Karen Morgan, Garry Cooper, Cheryl Pike, Melanie Thomas, Gavin Hughes, James Evans, Louise Barry","doi":"10.12968/bjcn.2026.0018","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12968/bjcn.2026.0018","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Before 2014, lymphoedema compression garment provision in Wales was fragmented, with wide variation in access, prescribing routes, product quality and cost, resulting in inequity for patients and inefficiency. Given the chronic nature of lymphoedema and the central role of compression therapy, a more consistent national approach was required. This commentary describes the rationale, development and impact of implementing a single national procurement contract and standardised garment formulary for lymphoedema care in Wales. Between 2014 and 2023, a clinically led, collaborative procurement process was undertaken involving national clinical leadership, procurement services, clinicians, patients and independent laboratory testing to inform garment selection. The resulting contract improved equity of access, strengthened quality assurance, standardised prescribing practice and enabled all-Wales audit and exception monitoring. This model demonstrates how national procurement, grounded in clinical evidence and stakeholder engagement, can reduce unwarranted variation, optimise value-based healthcare and support consistent, person-centred care across community and specialist settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":35731,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Community Nursing","volume":"31 9","pages":"428-433"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148881911","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"District nursing in a changing climate.","authors":"Rida Fazal","doi":"10.12968/bjcn.2026.0131","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12968/bjcn.2026.0131","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":35731,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Community Nursing","volume":"31 9","pages":"412"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148881968","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}