There is a quiet condition that follows far too many cancer journeys, often unspoken, often misunderstood. Its symptoms may start as a whisper—a mild heaviness in the arm, a sense of tightness, or a faint swelling that comes and goes. Yet its impact can be lifelong, and when left unmanaged, it can significantly diminish quality of life. This condition is lymphoedema, and it’s time we brought it to the centre of our conversations about cancer recovery.
At Cancer Care Parcel, we exist to address what often gets overlooked: the lived, everyday experience of people going through and coming out of cancer treatment. We believe in giving patients not just products, but knowledge and confidence. And so, when we brought in Sylwia Labecka-Czarnik—a Manual Lymph Drainage Therapist and oncology scar specialist—for a specialist session on lymphoedema, it wasn’t just to offer another expert voice. It was to fill a gap that patients feel every day.
If the circulatory system is the engine of the body, the lymphatic system is its cleaning crew. It removes waste, supports the immune system, and regulates fluid. Unlike the heart, it has no pump. It relies entirely on movement, breath, and muscle contractions.
That’s why cancer treatments that interfere with lymph nodes—whether through surgery, radiotherapy, or biopsy—can quietly disrupt this essential system. The result? Lymphoedema: a chronic swelling condition that can occur weeks, months, or even years after treatment.
Many people don’t know they’re at risk until it’s too late. They’re told their swelling is normal. That it will go away. That it’s “just part of recovery.” But lymphoedema is different. It’s not temporary. And early intervention is everything.
Sylwia brings a rare combination of scientific rigour and patient-centred care. Her insight is clear: patients who understand the early signs of lymphoedema—before swelling becomes obvious—are far better equipped to manage it or even prevent its progression.
She urges us to pay attention to the small cues. That quiet heaviness in a limb. A subtle tightness. A change in texture or shape. These are not “nothing.” They’re signals—often the first and only warning the body gives.
One of the most poignant themes Sylwia raises is the emotional impact of lymphoedema. After months of cancer treatment, many patients hope for normality. To feel like themselves again. Lymphoedema disrupts that return to self. The body that survived cancer now looks or feels different—and this shift can lead to shame, frustration, or withdrawal.
Sylwia encourages patients to reframe that narrative. To understand their symptoms not as personal failures, but as physiological outcomes that can be managed. Confidence doesn’t come from ignoring these changes—it comes from learning about them, preparing for them, and finding the right support.
In the rush to finish treatment, too many patients leave the hospital without information on lymphoedema. Those who do get pamphlets rarely get access to specialists who understand how to personalise care. There’s often a sense of abandonment: “Why didn’t anyone warn me?”
That’s precisely why Sylwia’s session has struck a chord. It makes no assumptions. It doesn’t sugar-coat or dramatise. It lays out the facts—and the tools—for taking action.
Among the most important insights she shares:
Another key takeaway: not all professionals who claim to treat lymphoedema are trained to do so safely. For cancer patients, it’s especially important to seek therapists listed on official registers like MLD UK or the British Lymphology Society. Lymphatic drainage in oncology is complex. Done incorrectly, it can cause more harm than good.
Sylwia’s philosophy is not about finding a cure. It’s about reclaiming control. It’s about knowing your body well enough to catch changes early and having the confidence to ask questions and demand answers.
When one attendee asked what she wishes every cancer patient knew before developing lymphoedema, her response was simple: “That this isn’t your fault—and it’s not too late.”
Lymphoedema isn’t a footnote in the cancer story. For many, it becomes the next chapter. But that chapter doesn’t have to be defined by limitation. With the right tools, the right therapist, and the right knowledge, patients can manage it—not in fear, but in strength.
That’s what this webinar offers. And it’s why we invite you to watch it.
Sylwia Labecka-Czarnik is a qualified Manual Lymph Drainage Therapist (trained in the Dr. Vodder method), a Level 5 Sports Massage Therapist, and an oncology scar specialist. Since 2016, she has worked with patients recovering from cancer treatment, with a particular passion for lymphoedema support. Her approach combines evidence-based techniques with deep compassion, making her one of the most respected voices in the field.
Connect with Sylwia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sylwia-labecka-czarnik-376331123
We strongly advise you to talk with a health care professional about specific medical conditions and treatments.
The information on our site is meant to be helpful and educational but is not a substitute for medical advice.
Learn How Roslyn Franken Overcame Cancer And Transformed Her Life. Watch 'From Fear To Fortitude' On Demand For Powerful Insights.
We are very grateful to Mini Me & Luxury for reviewing our Comfort for Chemotherapy gift box
To Those Who Are Fighting Today Or Who Are Also In Remission, You Are Not Alone. You Have More People With You Than You Can Imagine.
