Follow-up care after cancer is essential for helping survivors lead a fulfilling, healthy life

Pink October is a great opportunity to raise awareness not only about breast cancer, but also about the ongoing support survivors need long after treatment. While we often focus on early detection and treatment, we must not forget that cancer aftercare plays a huge role in helping survivors live full, healthy lives. Every year, more than 55,000 women in the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer, making it the most common type of cancer in women. Thanks to advances in treatment, almost 76% of these women survive for 10 years or more. But even with these positive results, the journey is not over when the cancer goes into remission. Many women suffer from lingering side effects, some of which can affect their quality of life for years.

One of the most common problems is lymphoedema - a chronic and often painful condition that causes swelling in the limbs due to the accumulation of lymph fluid. It is particularly common in women who have had lymph nodes removed or damaged during breast cancer surgery. Over 200,000 people in the UK are affected by lymphoedema, but it doesn't always get the attention it deserves. In fact, support for lymphoedema can be quite limited and many women struggle to find the treatment they need. Sometimes NHS cover isn't enough, leading patients to look for treatment options abroad.

This is where the Swiss Medical Network comes in. The Swiss Medical Network is part of one of Switzerland's largest hospital groups with over 60 medical centres, 21 hospitals and eight premium clinics offering first-class healthcare services to patients from all over the world. With specialities ranging from oncology to reconstructive surgery, the network offers everything from prevention to rehabilitation, ensuring that patients are supported every step of the way in their health journey.

One of the most advanced treatments is lymphovenous anastomosis (LVA), a type of "microsurgery" performed by Prof. Dr Mario Scaglioniat the Privatklinik Bethanien in Zurich, one of the network's specialist clinics. This procedure is designed to alleviate the symptoms of lymphoedema by diverting the lymph fluid directly into nearby veins so that it can drain away naturally. This approach addresses the cause, as opposed to more traditional treatments such as compression garments or physiotherapy, which only relieve the symptoms.

Dr Scaglioni explains: "Lymphoedema can drastically affect a patient's daily life, but is often overlooked in the wider discussion about breast cancer recovery. Our goal with LVA is to help women get their lives back without being limited by discomfort or mobility issues.

"Many patients who have undergone LVA have had life-changing results, including Dr Dorothée Rhein Straub, an emergency physician who had severe swelling in her arm after breast cancer treatment. "The surgery with Dr Scaglioni changed my life," she reports. "I used to find it difficult to do my job because of the swelling, but now, five years later, I'm working in the emergency department again without any restrictions. I couldn't be more grateful."

However, Swiss Medical Network's commitment to women's health goes far beyond breast cancer treatment. The clinics in the network offer a range of services designed to support women at every stage of their lives. In Zurich, Privatklinik Bethanien offers personalised medical examinations in a state-of-the-art environment. In Lugano, the Clinica Sant'Anna offers specialised care for women. In Geneva, the Clinique Nescens focuses entirely on preventive medicine and, in addition to thorough health examinations, also offers lifestyle optimisation and detoxification programmes designed to improve general well-being. This includes the Nescens Checkup Programme, which is designed to detect potential health problems early, even before symptoms appear, and to help women prevent diseases such as heart disease, diabetes or cancer.In addition to routine check-ups, the Nescens programme also focuses on general well-being and offers lifestyle advice on nutrition, exercise and ageing. Specialists in anti-ageing medicine work with patients to slow down the effects of ageing and maintain both physical health and quality of life. Whether it's a regular mammogram or a comprehensive health screening, these services ensure that women can enjoy a long, healthy and active life.In this "Pink October" where we focus on raising awareness, we must not forget the survivors who are still on the road to recovery. Giving them access to advanced procedures like LVA and addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of healing is key to supporting them. Whether it's supporting breast cancer survivors or empowering women to take charge of their own health through preventative measures, the Swiss Medical Network provides holistic, high-quality healthcare that puts women first.

Read the original article in Absolutly Magazine's London edition here