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Who is at risk for Lymphedema?
According to the World Health Organization ( UN/WHO), each year approximately
250 million people acquire Lymphedema, mainly as a
result of mosquito-borne microfilaria parasite infections in the tropics.
In the United States the onset of Lymphedema is
associated with complications following cancer treatment by means of surgery,
and or radiation therapy. An estimated 3-5 million Americans are affected with
breast cancer-related Lymphedema alone. Women are
particularly at risk of developing Lymphedema in
their arms following surgery or radiation therapy for breast cancer, or in their
legs following treatment for cervical, or uterine cancer. Men have also been
known to have suffered from breast cancer, and both men and women have suffered
from Lymphedema due to rectal cancer. Men also are
at high risk for testicular cancer, and prostate cancer.
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