New data to be presented at the American Society of Breast Surgeons Annual Meeting shows fluid and body composition assessments improve early detection accuracy
ImpediMed, a leader in medical technologies to clinically monitor and manage fluid and body composition, announced that it will present new results from a breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) study during a poster session at the American Society of Breast Surgeons (ASBrS) Annual Meeting in Las Vegas, NV on Friday, May 2nd at 6:00 p.m. in the Bellagio Grand Ballroom.
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Titled “The Importance of a Pre-Treatment Baseline When Screening Patients for Breast Cancer–Related Lymphedema,” the study underscores the need to measure fluid and body composition before cancer treatment begins. Findings from the PREVENT trial revealed that without a pre-treatment baseline, up to 71% of patients monitored with bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) and up to 88% of those monitored with tape measure would not have been identified as having early signs of lymphedema—potentially missing the window for early, more effective intervention.
ImpediMed Chief Medical Officer, Steven L. Chen, MD, MBA, the study’s lead author, will present the findings at ASBrS.
“This evidence reinforces the critical importance of establishing an easy-to-perform, baseline measurement for fluid and body composition, one that improves the likelihood of detecting BCRL as early as possible so lymphedema treatment can begin at its most reversible stages,” said Dr. Chen. “These findings highlight the importance of paying attention to lymphedema risk even as the cancer treatment is being planned.”
The results stem from PREVENT, the largest randomized control trial to assess lymphedema prevention, in 1200 women, which monitored progression to chronic BCRL following intervention for early BCRL assessed by both BIS and a traditional tape measure. These baseline assessments performed prior to breast cancer treatment increased the likelihood that patients developing BCRL would be detected at an earlier stage post-treatment.
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“Breast cancer-related lymphedema often stems from lymph node removal, radiation, or chemotherapy, and its impact goes far beyond discomfort—it can limit mobility and carry a significant financial burden,” said study co-author John Boyages, MD, PhD, author of Lymphoedema –– Taking Control, a book he wrote after witnessing firsthand the physical and emotional trauma of lymphedema in many of his breast cancer survivor patients. “I firmly believe in the power of early detection and have used this technology since 2007. By identifying lymphedema before it’s visible or measurable with a tape, it gives us a crucial window to intervene early and help prevent a lifelong, irreversible condition.”
Lymphedema, a common consequence of cancer treatment, poses significant challenges in healthcare. According to the American Cancer Society 58% of cancer patients diagnosed with breast cancer, melanoma, or pelvic area cancers are at risk for developing limb lymphedema, and over 80% of breast cancer patients are at risk.
As a pioneer in the field of lymphedema detection and monitoring, ImpediMed offers the only FDA-cleared bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) solution for the clinical assessment of lymphedema –– SOZO® Digital Health Platform. ImpediMed’s platform is now recommended in clinical practice guidelines nationwide and is broadly accepted and recognized for effective and accurate screening of lymphedema.
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) recently updated its Breast Cancer Clinical Practice Guidelines and advises on pretreatment screening as a baseline for patients with lymphedema risk factors, reinforcing the importance of baseline measurements to support early lymphedema detection.
“I’m proud to support research that highlights the benefits of closer monitoring for breast cancer survivors,” said Scott Long, newly appointed Senior Vice President of Sales at ImpediMed. “It’s rewarding to see survivorship care gaining momentum—something I’ve championed throughout my 30-year career in breast cancer biopsy and device development.”
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Source – PR Newswire
