Oct. is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Thursday, October 01, 2009

In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM), Juzo is encouraging people to “Think Pink” this October with a breast cancer awareness program that addresses some of the emotional issues that breast cancer patients face. Part of the promotion includes the new seasonal DreamSleeves, compression therapy arm sleeves designed to give breast cancer patients and survivors a more colorful way to manage lymphedema. “DreamSleeves are a colorful alternative to neutral, skin tone-colored arm sleeves,” said Greg Biddulph, product manager for Juzo, located in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.

Many women report that lymphedema can add to the physical and emotional strain of dealing with their illness. Biddulph said Juzo created DreamSleeves to not only help patients and survivors manage Lymphedema, but to also lift their spirits and help them feel like themselves again.
Lymphedema is a highly under-diagnosed, chronic condition that affects the lymphatic vessels, which are responsible for transporting protein-rich lymph fluid back into the circulatory system. Surgically removing the lymph nodes or receiving radiation treatments to the underarm area can interfere with normal fluid drainage. When lymph vessels are unable to transport this fluid properly, accumulation occurs in the arm’s soft tissue, resulting in swelling of the arm or hand.

Although lymphedema is not a life threatening condition, it is a lifelong condition requiring some degree of maintenance for the rest of the patient’s life. Compression therapy arm sleeves, such as DreamSleeve, can be a successful part of managing these symptoms. Due to the graduated nature of these garments, the pressure manages the accumulation of fluid, which reduces the swelling. For more information on how compression therapy garments can help manage lymphedema, consult your primary care provider.

For more information about dreamsleeve click here. To help choose next years colors click here.

For more information about the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month program, visit www.nbcam.org. For the latest information concerning breast cancer treatments, lymphedema, or research, contact one of these organizations: American Cancer Society, (800) 227-2345; National Cancer Institute (NCI), (800) 4-CANCER; Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization, (800) 221-2141, National Lymphedema Network, lymphnet.org.

Since 1912, Julius Zorn, Inc. has been a pioneer of new technologies, whether it’s designing a more comfortable garment or incorporating other technological advances such as our FiberSoft™ technology. Our philosophy has always been that medical garments should not inhibit a person’s lifestyle. We have led the compression therapy garment industry in creating a high quality product that offers its customers freedom in motion and, in turn, the freedom to maintain their active lifestyle.