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Updated: Sep 27, 2025
Integrating Augmented Reality Tools in Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema Prognostication and Diagnosis
Published on: February 6, 2020
Update to the Canadian clinical practice guideline for best-practice management of breast cancer-related lymphedema:
Margaret Lynn McNeely1, Susan R Harris2, Naomi D Dolgoy2
1Department of Physical Therapy (McNeely, Dolgoy, Al Onazi, Parkinson), University of Alberta; Cross Cancer Institute (McNeely, King), Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alta.; patient representative (Harris), Vancouver, BC; patient representative (Kennedy), Toronto, Ont.; patient representative (Binkley), Atlanta, Ga.; Department of Physical Therapy (Harris, Campbell), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; Rehabilitation Oncology Department (Radke), Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alta.; Guideline Resource Unit (Kostaras), Cancer Care Alberta, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alta.; University of Alberta Libraries (Dennett), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Lymphedema Program (Ryan), Eastern Health, St. John's, Nfld.; Oncology Division (Dalzell), Canadian Physiotherapy Association, Montréal, Que.; Pathways Magazine (Kennedy), Canadian Lymphedema Framework, Toronto, Ont.; Faculty of Kinesiology (Capozzi), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Department of Clinical Neurosciences (Capozzi), Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Gerard Bronfman Department of Oncology (Towers), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montréal, Que.; TurningPoint Breast Cancer Rehabilitation (Binkley), Atlanta, Ga.; Parkwood Institute Research, Lawson Health Research Institute, Parkwood Institute (Keast), St. Joseph's Health Care, London, Ont. mmcneely@ualberta.ca.
Background:
One of the more frequent complications following treatment for breast cancer, lymphedema is a substantial swelling of the arm, breast and chest wall that occurs on the side where lymph nodes were removed. The aim of this work is to update recommendations on the prevention, diagnosis and management of lymphedema related to breast cancer.
Methods:
We present the protocol for an update of the 2001 clinical practice guideline on lymphedema from the Steering Committee for Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Care and Treatment of Breast Cancer. We will use a patient-oriented research approach with a focus on self-management and the positive health model to inform the updated guideline development. The methods proposed will be undertaken with consideration of the standards outlined in the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II (AGREE II) instrument. The literature will be appraised by evaluating existing guidelines from other countries, the evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analyses and direct evidence from clinical studies. We will manage competing interests according to Guidelines International Network principles. Recommendations will be presented using an actionable statement format and will be linked to the level of evidence along with any relevant considerations used in formulation. A draft of the guideline will be produced by the steering committee then sent out to international experts and stakeholder groups for feedback.
Interpretation:
The primary benefit of this clinical guideline will be to improve the quality of care of women with breast cancer-related lymphedema. Findings will be disseminated at national and international conferences and through webinars and educational videos hosted on the websites of the supporting organizations.
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