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Hope for boost to pain relief
Mike Waites Health Correspondent A TREATMENT used to help deep-sea divers recover from the bends could be used to relieve the painful side-effects of breast cancer treatment.
Scientists funded by the charity Cancer Research UK are set to try out the approach after a pilot study found it could reduce painful swelling in the arm caused by lymphoedema – an irreversible condition which can develop after radiation treatment for the disease.
Patients will be given pure oxygen in decompression chambers usually used to treat divers, at four centres nationwide, including Hull.
Lymphoedema occurs when fluid fails to drain properly and builds up in the arm causing swelling. In some cases this can lead to serious pain and discomfort.
Two thirds of volunteers recruited to the trial, which begins next month, will receive 90 minutes of therapy, five days a week for six weeks.
The remaining third of volunteers will receive standard care for lymphoedema including bandaging, exercise and massage.
Prof Robert Souhami, of Cancer Research UK, said: "Current therapies for lymphoedema aim to control the symptoms rather than treating the cause.
"There are encouraging signs that hyperbaric oxygen therapy might be an effective treatment and this trial will provide stronger evidence."
Anyone who would like to join the study can call 0208 661 3460.
They must live within easy reach of the research centres which in Yorkshire will be at the hyperbaric unit at the BUPA hospital in Anlaby, Hull.
mike.waites@ypn.co.uk
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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