The background to this petition is as follows:

1. Lymphedema is a disease where the movement of lymph fluid, which carries the waste products and destroyed bacteria through lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes back into the bloodstream, is either impaired or damaged.
2. Lymphedema is a relatively common condition, and more prevalent than a stroke that causes the lymph fluid to build up in the tissues instead of being carried to the liver or kidneys which removes them from the blood.
3. Primary lymphedema is a genetic disease due to a congenital abnormality of the lymphatic system; Secondary, or acquired lymphedema, is more commonly known and is caused by other conditions such as cancer treatments, trauma or injury.
4. While Manitoba covers a level of treatment for lymphedema when it occurs as a result of breast cancer, treatment of all other causes of lymphedema are not covered under Manitoba’s health care plan.
5. In order to be properly diagnosed, a referral to a Vascular Specialist specializing in lymphatics is required as not all health professionals are knowledgeable about lymphedema and its best treatment.
6. The 38,500 Manitobans reported to have lymphedema is underestimated as many cases are improperly diagnosed or incorrectly reported, due to other comorbidities.
7. The gold standard of therapy includes manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), medical grade compression, exercises and movement, specialized nutrition, and skin and wound care. In some cases surgery can be helpful, though surgery generally has a less than 50% success rate.
8. Unlike Manitoba, BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Quebec cover the cost of garments (like daytime and/or nighttime medical grade compression stockings) to treat lymphedema.
9. Comprehensive early treatment of lymphedema is cost effective as it can make a major difference in decreasing the life-long progression of lymphedema and save substantial dollars in hospital and emergency room costs.
10. Treatment options for lymphedema will also help palliative patients, diabetic patients, post- surgical patients, and patients with hard-to-treat wounds.

We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

1. To urge the Provincial Government to recognize lymphedema in its entirety and fund its treatment, with no segregation or differentiation between Primary and Secondary lymphedema patients.
2. To urge the Provincial Government to recognize Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) as a medical treatment.
3. To urge the Provincial Government to move towards having Lymphologists as a subspecialty separate from Vascular Specialists.
4. To urge the Provincial Government to provide full coverage towards medical-grade compression garments (for daytime and/or nighttime) needed for treatment, for all individuals with lymphedema under Manitoba Health.
5. To urge the Provincial Government to ensure that medical students and nurses are well trained in the diagnosis and treatment of lymphedema and lymphatic illnesses so that there are adequate numbers of health care professionals dedicated to the care of individuals with lymphedema.