Let’s Talk Lymphoedema - Gallery

“Let’s Talk Lymphoedema”
‘Let’s Talk Lymphoedema’, a book by Professor Peter Mortimer, Professor of Dermatological Medicine at SGUL, was published on the 25th May. The book is co-authored with Gemma Levine, an internationally renowned portrait photographer.
Lymphoedema results from a failure of the lymph system to work properly. The lymph system is responsible for cleansing the body’s tissues and recycling fluid and immune cells. When this function fails fluid and other materials build up in the body’s tissues to cause visible swelling usually of one or more limbs. The lymph system houses the immune system and consequently lymphoedema is associated with infections, which can be recurrent and result in septicaemia.
Lymphoedema is a global disease with many different causes from tropical diseases such as filariasis (elephantiasis) to cancer, to obesity and genetic faults. Lymphoedema is estimated to be as common as Alzheimer’s disease, four times as common as HIV and rheumatoid arthritis, and twelve times as common as multiple sclerosis. However, until now there has been no general guide for those suffering from the condition. The book aims to demystify the lymph system and explain lymphoedema in the simplest way.
An essential read for sufferers, friends, family and health care professionals alike; Let’s Talk Lymphoedema includes medical information (immune system and infection; obesity; genetic aspects); treatment advice (exercise, diet, compression, massage, microsurgery, and podiatry); and day-to-day support (psychology, sexuality and others’ perceptions). However, and most importantly, it uses real patient stories to convey the problems patients suffer. Patient stories come from India, Ethiopia and the USA. Oscar winning actress Kathy Bates explains her journey with lymphoedema and there are moving stories from children and their parents.
A feature of the book is quotes from famous people and celebrities including Dame Judy Dench, Sir John Major, Sir Karl Jenkins, Joanna Lumley, Sir Andy Murray and Sir Alex Ferguson, all of whom endorse the need for much greater awareness and attention for lymphoedema.
The book was launched on both evenings of the 18th May at the Hignell Gallery in Mayfair with a further medical launch at the LOC (Leaders in Oncology Care) in Harley Street on the 23rd May. Robert Harris from Digital Services, SGUL filmed both events including speeches from Professor Mortimer and Bill Repicci, CEO of the Lymphatic Education and Research Network (LE&RN), the world leading non-profit organisation in the USA fighting the cause of lymphoedema.
On the 22nd May Professor Mortimer gave a lecture on the genetic basis of primary lymphoedema, which was broadcast worldwide from the Digital Services TV Studio by Adam Winkler and Craig Rennie, this was a first for the team and used specialised software under full broadcast conditions. The lecture showcased the best of the research work at SGUL cementing the international reputation of SGUL’s lymphovascular medicine research unit, which has been responsible for discovering 8 of the 12 known genes casual for primary lymphoedema. The team has been recently awarded a £2.5 million programme grant from the Medical Research Council to continue their groundbreaking work.
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