McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) Lymphedema Program
The MUHC Lymphedema Program is under the administration of the Palliative and Supportive Care Services of the Cancer Care Mission. The program provides close collaboration among the Lymphedema Support Centre of the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation (MUHC Lymphedema Clinic), the Cedars Breast Centre and the Physiotherapy Department of the MUHC regarding referrals, quality of care, and educational activities. The program has been fortunate to receive major funding from the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation and the Cedars Cancer Foundation. It also partners with the Lymphedema Association of Quebec (LAQ) in its educational and advocacy endeavours.
At the Quebec level, the MUHC Program staff act as scientific and clinical consultants to the LAQ with whom they have created a network of provincial lymphedema teacher-clinicians and developed educational programs and conferences.
At the national level, members of the Program co-founded and lead in the Canadian Lymphedema Framework (CLF) and participate in activities of the International Lymphedema Framework that develops international best practice guidelines.
Lymphedema Support Centre of the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation
This internationally-recognized referral center is based at 5252 de Maisonneuve West, near the Glen site hospital. It includes an inter-disciplinary clinic (physician, physical, occupational and lymphedema therapists and exercise trainer) that offers consultation services on medical referral 2.5 days per week. The centre is an educational resource and is involved in clinical research on lymphedema. It serves all cancer-related lymphedema patients, and in particular those patients with complex problems requiring a supra-regional referral centre.
Patients receive a detailed medical evaluation, are assessed for function, psychosocial issues, mobility and limb volume. Personalized instruction in risk reduction behavior, therapeutic exercise, the lymphatic system and how to manage the condition are provided. Clinic visits focus on education so that patients can take charge and learn to manage their lymphedema. It offers self-bandaging clinics, organizes transition to community care, initiates rehabilitation services, and coordinates follow-up as required. The Lymphedema Support Centre of the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation involves physiotherapists and lymphedema therapists across Quebec, and communicates with and implicates CLSC nurses in effecting treatment plans for special needs populations.
The centre also serves as a research base and a teaching site for medical residents. It is a measurement laboratory that includes bio-impedance, Perometry and Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry apparatus, most of which is shared with McGill Nutrition and Assessment Laboratory (MNUPAL). We are grateful for a $30,000 private donation that enabled the purchase of a Perometry limb volume measurement machine. This makes us one of only a few centres in Canada with this research measurement potential.
Contact
Anna Towers
5252 boulevard de Maisonneuve West, 105b
Montreal, Quebec, H4A 3S5
Tel: 514-934-1934 ext. 78716
Fax: 514-489-2718
MUHC Physiotherapy Department Lymphedema Services
Since 2011 lymphedema-trained physiotherapists at the Royal Victoria Hospital, in collaboration with colleagues in the Physiotherapy Department, provide both in patient and out patient lymphedema therapy services. Services include assessment, treatment and monitoring of lymphedema, long-term surveillance of complex cases, and liaison with and education of medical and nursing staff and off-site health professionals from CLSCs. There is close collaboration between the MUHC Physiotherapy Department Lymphedema Services and the Lymphedema Support Centre of the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation.
Contact
Angela Yung
Tel: 514 -934-1934 ext. 31565
Fax: 514-843-2281
MUHC Breast Clinic Lymphedema Services
The MUHC Breast Clinic Lymphedema Services offers services to reduce the risks of arm and shoulder problems after breast cancer.
The MUHC Breast Clinic Lymphedema Services has offered specialized risk assessment as well as post-operative monitoring services for lymphedema diagnosis and treatment specifically for breast cancer patients. Cases are referred by the nurse-clinicians, surgical oncologists and radiation oncologists.
Patients are routinely followed for at least 2 years post-treatment. Close post-operative and post-radiation follow-up allows early intervention if range of motion problems and/or lymphedema occur. Treatments used can include: compression therapy, shoulder mobilization, scar work and/or combined decongestive therapy.
Services are available 5 days a week by two kinesiologists and a physiotherapist trained and certified in lymphedema treatment.
These lymphedema services are available only to patients of the MUHC Breast Clinic.
Contact
Chantal Turgeon
Linda Henry
Angela Yung
1001 boul Décarie
C North, 6th Floor
Montreal, Quebec H4A 3J1
Tel: 514-934-1934 ext. 32829
Fax: 514-843-1692