Understanding Lipedema: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options Many people live with lipedema for years before finding answers, and unfortunately, it is often misunderstood or misdiagnosed. This blog will help you understand what lipedema is, how it’s diagnosed, and what treatment options are available—plus how our team helps support people with lipedema right here in Ottawa. … Read More
It is with so much joy and excitement (and a little bit of butterflies) that I’m writing to share that we are officially rebranding to the Ottawa Cancer and Lymphatics Centre. We’ll be transitioning gradually over the next few months, with our final website update and hard launch scheduled for September 2, 2025. After a lot of … Read More
When recovering from breast cancer treatment, one of the most overlooked yet essential factors in rehabilitation is hydration. Proper hydration plays a vital role in recovery, supporting your body’s ability to heal, manage various treatment side effects, and regain strength. Water is the foundation of nearly every function in the body. When healing from breast … Read More
A breast cancer diagnosis is life-changing, and the journey through treatment—whether it involves surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or hormonal therapy—can take a significant toll on you. For many individuals, the road to healing extends well beyond medical interventions and a multidisciplinary approach to breast cancer rehabilitation ensures that every aspect of a patient’s well-being is addressed, … Read More
There are many different types of breast cancer but one less common and less talked about is inflammatory breast cancer. Inflammatory breast cancer is significantly more rare than other types and accounts for only about 1%-5% of all breast cancer diagnoses.1 It is caused by cancer cells interfering with the lymphatic vessels, causing an inflamed … Read More
Axillary web syndrome (AWS), also known as “cording”, is a condition that sometimes occurs after mastectomy or lymph node removal either by axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) or sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) for breast cancer diagnosis or treatment. After these procedures, tender cords of tissue can sometimes be felt under the skin. They usually … Read More
When faced with a cancer diagnosis your first thought likely isn’t “how will my sexual health and intimacy be affected?”. Although this thought and consideration may not be a huge factor in your immediate steps through cancer treatment, it will almost certainly become a common focus later in treatment and even once your treatment is … Read More
We know that physiotherapy is prescribed after knee replacements and hip fracture surgery so why don’t we see prescriptions for more surgeries including plastic surgery? It is not a common thought to prescribe such therapies after a breast augmentation, tummy tuck, or even liposuction but according to research, it should be! Any time the body … Read More
Lipedema is a condition characterized by the abnormal deposition of adipose tissue, typically in the hips, thighs and legs, but stopping before the feet. It can also appear in the upper arms. Lipedema can be very painful, and often leads to capillary fragility, making patients more prone to easy bruising. This condition is also unique … Read More
Cellulitis is something that you have likely heard of if you have or are at risk of lymphedema. Although it is often mentioned briefly to cancer patients, we still see patients missing the hallmark signs of this common yet very serious condition. So, what exactly is cellulitis and how do we spot it? Cellulitis is … Read More