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Staffed by a dedicated team of multilingual clinical case managers withnursing and social work experience, the LCL offers personal case managementservices, including the dissemination of information about lymphedema,navigation through the reimbursement system, interpretation of a patients'health insurance benefit language, provision of direct appeals assistance andlinkage to appropriate educational and support resources. The hotline can beaccessed at (866) 949-1978 or on the Web at LCL.patientadvocate.org.
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The LCL is the latest addition to PAF's portfolio of patient services,which include direct case management services; the National Hispanic/Latino,African American and Senior Outreach initiatives; Hematologic Cancer EducationProgram; ACS/PAF Partnership Program and the national Lance ArmstrongFoundation Livestrong SurvivorCare partnership.
"While better treatment and earlier detection of breast cancer hasextended survival rates, lymphedema remains a significant risk to a woman'squality of life," said John Ennis, Co-Founder, Chief Development Officer atPAF. "We are encouraged to know that ImpediMed's technology can aid doctors inthe pre-operative clinical assessment and ongoing surveillance of patients tohelp manage this impairment in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients andwomen at risk."
Beth Darnley, Chief Program Officer at PAF, added, "Navigating thereimbursement system in order to obtain appropriate pre- and post-operativecare following a diagnosis of breast cancer can be confusing and overwhelmingfor patients. Options such as the Lymphedema CareLine offer a centralizedresource for information and direct support to help clinicians and theirpatients manage this potentially serious side effect of primary breast cancertreatment."
Greg Brown, ImpediMed's CEO, commented: "ImpediMed is proud to supportPAF's Lymphedema CareLine. Patients and doctors can be guided to availableresources that help put lymphedema education and counseling on the clinicalcare agenda from day one. ImpediMed's FDA-cleared device is designed to aiddoctors in the clinical assessment of patients for any signs of lymphedemawhen it is most likely to be effectively treated."
About Lymphedema
Lymphedema is a condition that can cause significant swelling of the upperand lower extremities due to the build-up of excess lymph fluid. This canoccur when the lymphatic system, which is responsible for draining excessfluid from the body and is a key component of the immune system, is damaged oraltered. In breast cancer patients, this can occur after surgery, such asremoval or biopsy of the lymph nodes, and/or radiation therapy. It isestimated that 6 percent to 40 percent of patients with breast cancer developlymphedema, and that it often occurs within the first two years after surgery.For some cancer survivors and others at risk, lymphedema can occur 10 years to15 years following the initial primary treatment and develop into a conditionthat has a serious impact on overall health and quality of life.
About Patient Advocate Foundation
Patient Advocate Foundation is a national non-profit organization thatseeks to safeguard patients through effective mediation assuring access tocare, maintenance of employment and preservation of their financial stability.
More information may be obtained at www.patientadvocate.org or by calling(800) 532-5274.
About ImpediMed
ImpediMed Ltd. is the world leader in the development and distribution ofmedical devices employing Bioimpedance Spectroscopy (BIS) technologies to aidmedical providers in the non-invasive clinical assessment and ongoingsurveillance of lymphedema. ImpediMed's primary product range consists of anumber of medical devices that aid surgeons, oncologists, therapists andradiation oncologists to clinically assess patients for the potential onset ofsecondary lymphedema. Pre-operative clinical assessment in breast cancersurvivors before the onset of symptoms may help prevent the condition frombecoming a lifelong management issue and improve the quality of life of thecancer survivor. ImpediMed has the first medical device with an FDA clearancein the United States to aid health care professionals clinically assesssecondary lymphedema of the arm in female breast cancer patients. For moreinformation, visit www.impedimed.com or www.L-Dex.com.Contact Patient Advocate Foundation: Beth Darnley, Chief Program Officer (757) 952-1365 or (800) 532-5274 Contact ImpediMed: Jack Butler, VP Business Development (585) 248-2554 or (877) 247-0111
SOURCE ImpediMed Ltd.
