Comprehensive Care for Your Lymphatic Health
Lymphedema Prevention Program
Empower Your Wellness Journey Today
About the Program
About the Program
What You Need to Know for Effective Prevention
Breast cancer-related lymphedema is a condition that can result from surgical, radiation, or taxane-based chemotherapy treatments. It can lead to abnormal swelling and discomfort in one or both arms. There is no cure for chronic breast cancer-related lymphedema. Once it develops, it requires lifelong management.
When it is caught early, it can be treated and stopped before it gets worse and becomes a lifelong condition. Our new technology, the SOZO® Digital Health Platform, provides an L-Dex® score to help detect lymphedema before you feel noticeable swelling. This early alert allows us to work with you to take steps to stop lymphedema from getting worse, or to avoid getting it at all.
Frequently asked questions
We're here to help! Contact us if you have any questions that we haven't answered here.
Why should I get tested?
Cancer-related lymphedema is a condition that can be caused by cancer treatment. If left untreated, lymphedema can lead to painful swelling, infection, and hospitalization. It requires lifelong management and interferes with activities like work and caring for your family. Studies show that if lymphedema is detected early, it can be treated and prevented from getting worse. The opportunity to prevent lymphedema is before you experience noticeable swelling.
What can I expect at an Early Detection Screening?
When should I get tested?
Where can I get L-Dex testing for early detection of lymphedema?
What if I already have symptoms of lymphedema?
What is the cost of an Early Detection Screening?
Will my insurance cover the cost of an L-Dex test?
How do I get access to compression garments?
References
Our Prevention Approach
Our Prevention Approach
Reduce your lymphedema risk
Reduce your lymphedema risk
Breast cancer-related lymphedema of the arms develops in stages. When it is caught early, it can be treated and stopped before it gets worse and becomes a lifelong condition. Our new technology, the SOZO® Digital Health Platform, provides an L-Dex® score to help detect lymphedema before you feel noticeable swelling. This early alert allows us to work with you to take steps to stop lymphedema from getting worse, or to avoid getting it at all.
Reduce Your Risk
Reduce Your Risk
Early Detection and Intervention Reduces Rates of Chronic Lymphedema
Early Detection and Intervention Reduces Rates of Chronic Lymphedema
The NCCN Clinical Practical Guidelines in Oncology State Early Detection/Diagnosis of Lymphedema is Key for Optimal Management because Stages 0 and 1 are Reversible, whereas Stages 2 and 3 are Less Responsive to Treatment
SOZO with L-Dex
SOZO with L-Dex
Reduce your lymphodemia risk
Reduce your lymphodemia risk
The L-Dex score helps us assess whether you are developing lymphedema BEFORE you feel noticeable swelling. For best results, patients receive a baseline measurement before cancer treatment begins and are then tested regularly after treatment. If your L-Dex score increases above normal levels, we will evaluate you for early signs of lymphedema. If you don’t get a pre-treatment baseline score, we can still use the L-Dex test to help detect lymphedema early. The SOZO device is used to measure your L-Dex score. It looks like a scale, but it has places for you to put your hands and feet. You will not feel the SOZO test and it only takes 30 seconds to complete.
Program Guidelines by the American Society of Breast Surgeons
Program Guidelines by the American Society of Breast Surgeons
Prospective Surveillance of Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema using Bioimpedance Spectroscopy
Prospective Surveillance of Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema using Bioimpedance Spectroscopy
First 3 Years from Diagnosis
First 3 Years from Diagnosis
Test every 3 months
Years 4-5 from Diagnosis
Years 4-5 from Diagnosis
Test every 6 months
Years 6 and on
Years 6 and on
Test every 12 months
Early Detection and Care
Early Detection and Care
At-Home Compression Therapy for Early Lymphedema
At-Home Compression Therapy for Early Lymphedema
If your healthcare provider finds signs of early lymphedema, they may prescribe at-home treatment with compression garments. Studies show that wearing your compression garments for 4 weeks for 12 hours per day can stop lymphedema from getting worse.
Our Partners
Our Partners
Real stories from our amazing patients
Real stories from our amazing patients
See what our patients say
See what our patients say
Heart of Gold is absolutely wonderful! The practitioners are very knowledgeable, kind and compassionate! I was receiving post operative care and felt so supported during what felt like a really vulnerable time. I would recommend them to everyone. The communication and scheduling is also top notch. Truly one of the best services I’ve used in...
I loved working with Michelle for my garments. She went above and beyond in order to make sure I received just what I needed. Her calm demeanor and abundance of knowledge of lymphedema helped make my experience excellent.
Michelle is a magician for lymphedema. She is knowledgeable and has a great bedside manner. I could not imagine going anywhere else for my treatment.
I am so thankful for very knowledge, nice and very professional appointments with Michael She was so helpful to me... Fell so good , relax and less painful after every visit. Thank you.
Heart of Gold Physical Therapy is amazing. I highly recommend it. I've learned so much about care of a limb with potential for lymphedema and the proprietor, Ms.Folsom, has effectively helped me with my situation after breast cancer where other physical therapy institutions did not have the expertise or "top-of-the-line" tools to mitigate my...
Michelle is very caring and easy to talk with about lymphedema. She is extremely knowledgeable and thoughtful with her ideas about treatment and care. I feel heard, cared for and helped!
Physical therapy treatment that I received at Heart of Gold Physical Therapy changed my life. The physio's approach, keep moving, don't stop and sit back, continues to provide very positive results more than 8 months after the consultation.
My experience with Michelle and Heart of Gold Physical Therapy surpassed all expectations! Upon entering, I was greeted with genuine warmth, instantly putting any first-time massage nerves at ease. Michelle's expertise, professionalism, and compassion shone through at every moment. Each session not only provided physical relief but also left me...
Michelle is knowledgeable, a good communicator, and kind. I love working with her on my lymphedema. She is a good listener and helped me through my recovery after having 32 lymph nodes removed. She treated my scare tissue, cording, and swelling. I can’t say enough about the high level of professionalism and care that I received.
Heart of Gold is absolutely wonderful! The practitioners are very knowledgeable, kind and compassionate! I was receiving post operative care and felt so supported during what felt like a really vulnerable time. I would recommend them to everyone. The communication and scheduling is also top notch. Truly one of the best services I’ve used in...
I loved working with Michelle for my garments. She went above and beyond in order to make sure I received just what I needed. Her calm demeanor and abundance of knowledge of lymphedema helped make my experience excellent.
Michelle is a magician for lymphedema. She is knowledgeable and has a great bedside manner. I could not imagine going anywhere else for my treatment.
I am so thankful for very knowledge, nice and very professional appointments with Michael She was so helpful to me... Fell so good , relax and less painful after every visit. Thank you.
Heart of Gold Physical Therapy is amazing. I highly recommend it. I've learned so much about care of a limb with potential for lymphedema and the proprietor, Ms.Folsom, has effectively helped me with my situation after breast cancer where other physical therapy institutions did not have the expertise or "top-of-the-line" tools to mitigate my...
Michelle is very caring and easy to talk with about lymphedema. She is extremely knowledgeable and thoughtful with her ideas about treatment and care. I feel heard, cared for and helped!
Physical therapy treatment that I received at Heart of Gold Physical Therapy changed my life. The physio's approach, keep moving, don't stop and sit back, continues to provide very positive results more than 8 months after the consultation.
My experience with Michelle and Heart of Gold Physical Therapy surpassed all expectations! Upon entering, I was greeted with genuine warmth, instantly putting any first-time massage nerves at ease. Michelle's expertise, professionalism, and compassion shone through at every moment. Each session not only provided physical relief but also left me...
Michelle is knowledgeable, a good communicator, and kind. I love working with her on my lymphedema. She is a good listener and helped me through my recovery after having 32 lymph nodes removed. She treated my scare tissue, cording, and swelling. I can’t say enough about the high level of professionalism and care that I received.
Heart of Gold is absolutely wonderful! The practitioners are very knowledgeable, kind and compassionate! I was receiving post operative care and felt so supported during what felt like a really vulnerable time. I would recommend them to everyone. The communication and scheduling is also top notch. Truly one of the best services I’ve used in...
I loved working with Michelle for my garments. She went above and beyond in order to make sure I received just what I needed. Her calm demeanor and abundance of knowledge of lymphedema helped make my experience excellent.
Michelle is a magician for lymphedema. She is knowledgeable and has a great bedside manner. I could not imagine going anywhere else for my treatment.
I am so thankful for very knowledge, nice and very professional appointments with Michael She was so helpful to me... Fell so good , relax and less painful after every visit. Thank you.
Heart of Gold Physical Therapy is amazing. I highly recommend it. I've learned so much about care of a limb with potential for lymphedema and the proprietor, Ms.Folsom, has effectively helped me with my situation after breast cancer where other physical therapy institutions did not have the expertise or "top-of-the-line" tools to mitigate my...
Michelle is very caring and easy to talk with about lymphedema. She is extremely knowledgeable and thoughtful with her ideas about treatment and care. I feel heard, cared for and helped!
Physical therapy treatment that I received at Heart of Gold Physical Therapy changed my life. The physio's approach, keep moving, don't stop and sit back, continues to provide very positive results more than 8 months after the consultation.
My experience with Michelle and Heart of Gold Physical Therapy surpassed all expectations! Upon entering, I was greeted with genuine warmth, instantly putting any first-time massage nerves at ease. Michelle's expertise, professionalism, and compassion shone through at every moment. Each session not only provided physical relief but also left me...
Michelle is knowledgeable, a good communicator, and kind. I love working with her on my lymphedema. She is a good listener and helped me through my recovery after having 32 lymph nodes removed. She treated my scare tissue, cording, and swelling. I can’t say enough about the high level of professionalism and care that I received.
Ready to Take Action?
For more information, visit https://www.impedimed.com/patients/preventing-lymphedema
Shah C, Whitworth P, Valente S, Schwarz GS, Kruse M, Kohli M, Brownson K, Lawson L, Dupree B, Vicini FA. Bioimpedance spectroscopy for breast cancer-related lymphedema assessment: clinical practice guidelines. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2023 Feb;198(1):1-9.
Ridner SH, Dietrich MS, Boyages J, Koelmeyer L, Elder E, Hughes TM, French J, Ngui N, Hsu J, Abramson VG, Moore A, Shah C. A Comparison of Bioimpedance Spectroscopy or Tape Measure Triggered Compression Intervention in Chronic Breast Cancer Lymphedema Prevention. Lymphat Res Biol. 2022 Dec;20(6):618-628.
Fu MR, et al. L-Dex ratio in detecting breast cancer-related lymphedema: reliability, sensitivity, and specificity. Lymphology 2013;46:85-96.