Two decades of lymphedema care in Canada. Progress, pitfalls and promise
ABSTRACT:
This opinion article reflects on more than 20 years of change in lymphedema care in Canada from the perspective of a patient, advocate, founding member of the Canadian Lymphedema Framework, and Editor-in-Chief of Pathways. The article highlights growth in the Canadian lymphedema community, including the development of provincial patient organizations, increased awareness, expanded national and international collaboration, and growing recognition of the prevalence and burden of lymphedema. It reviews progress in advocacy, compression garment reimbursement, diagnosis and monitoring, compression technologies, surgical options, research, education, and the role of Pathways as a national education platform. At the same time, the article identifies persistent challenges, including uneven access to care across provinces, limited publicly funded lymphedema services, financial barriers to complete decongestive therapy and compression garments, limited integration of lymphedema education into health professional training, and the need to develop future leadership in the field. While acknowledging meaningful advances in awareness, research, education, and clinical development, the article underscores that significant gaps remain before all Canadians living with lymphedema can access timely, knowledgeable, and affordable care.
How to cite: Kennedy, Anna. Pathways. 2026;15(3): 10-12. https://doi.org/10.70472/VHDJ5298
This article was published in Pathways, the quarterly print and online publication of the Canadian Lymphedema Framework. The most recent 8 issues of Pathways are available to subscribers only. SUBSCRIBE NOW AT THIS LINK TO READ.
Back-issues older than 8 issues can be read online here: https://www.canadalymph.ca/pathways/all-issues/
