Dear Bellisse,

We are proud to be celebrating our 5th anniversary! It was in September of 2002 that we launched our Bellisse Compressure Comfort® Bra at the National Lymphedema Network (NLN) meeting in Chicago Illinois.

At the time, breast edema/lymphedema awareness in the breast cancer treatment community was not high. There was no compression product that was respectful of the intricacies of the lymphatic system of the torso and breast. We are pleased that we have played a part in increasing the awareness of truncal edema, and in its management and treatment.

When we first brainstormed about a product that was designed especially for the breast cancer patient population, we were not focused on the other medical interventions that create truncal and breast edema, and how the Compressure Comfort Bra could help improve the quality of life of these patients, too! We now know that the problem of breast edema is not confined to the breast cancer patient. Our product has also been used for breast and truncal edema caused by surgical and radiation treatment of lung cancer, malignant melanoma, open heart surgery, and for post surgical edema that has not progressed to the lymphedema stage.

This issue will highlight the case of a patient who has breast and truncal edema without having had breast cancer treatment. The possible complications of interventions involving the lymph system may not be anticipated, but they can seriously compromise quality of life. This case shows us that as patients we need to press for our concerns to be addressed, and that as health care providers we must listen to our patients' complaints and seek creative solutions.

Thank you for helping us spread awareness of truncal and breast edema, no matter what the cause. Please share your experiences with us! With early intervention to address these post-surgical complications we can improve quality of life, and possibly decrease the pain our sisters, mothers and friends live with.