The impact of climate change on lymphoedema: outcomes from a PhD study

Climate change is not only resulting in increasing extreme weather events and record temperatures across the globe, it is also having an impact on people's bodies, especially for those living with chronic oedema/lymphoedema. Increased lethargy in affected limbs, a feeling of increased swelling and greater challenges keeping everything under control have been reported by patients. It is important to explore and understand how climatic variations affect lymphoedema. This is the topic of an ongoing PhD study at Flinders University, South Australia. This article will outline the key findings from this project and highlight the planned next steps in understanding this phenomenon. By fully understanding the impact of climate change on the body, healthcare professionals can implement countermeasures to support their patients and minimise the impact of lymphoedema.