Some people with the swelling condition, lymphoedema, can be left ‘waiting decades' for a proper diagnosis, and even then, they cannot access appropriate treatment, a patient support group has claimed.

According to Lymphoedema Ireland, this is despite the fact that international research suggests that the early diagnosis and treatment of this condition costs the healthcare system less.

Lymphoedema is a chronic conditions that causes swelling in parts of the body, usually the arms and legs. It is caused by an impairment in the lymphatic system, an important part of the body's immune system.

Around 15,000 people in Ireland are affected and there is no cure.

According to Lymphoedema Ireland, around one in three people affected have primary lymphoedema, which is caused by genetic or congenital abnormalities, while the rest have secondary lymphoedema. This type is caused by advanced cancers, radiotherapy, infections and other diseases.

Around 1,300 Irish people develop secondary lymphoedema every year as a result of the cancer treatment they are undergoing.

Yet many of those affected have problems trying to obtain adequate medical care.

"The HSE has not acknowledged the international medical consensus on how lymphoedema should be treated and the need for early intervention. There is a diagnosis and treatment deficit in Ireland. Some parts of the country are fortunate to have good quality publicly-funded services, other parts are under-resourced, while other parts have no lymphoedema resources at all," noted Nina Murray, chairperson of the support group.

She pointed out that in some cases, people with primary lymphoedema ‘wait decades for a full diagnosis of their condition'.

"Even then, they cannot access appropriate treatment. Some patients resort to expensive private treatment, including going abroad to specialist clinics, while others are forced with the option of going without treatment. Therapists working in the public system report that they are not sufficiently qualified to treat patients and are also concerned with the poor provision of services," Ms Murray said.

However, even those who can afford private treatment also face difficulties in accessing treatment, as some private hospitals do not offer lymphoedema services.

Many private patients end up running up huge medical bills and Irish health insurers ‘provide little cover for treatment and do not recognise lymphoedema as the serious condition it is'.

Ms Murray emphasised that services in Northern Ireland and other parts of the UK are much more advanced, following a review back in 2004, which stated that this condition should be considered a priority.

Furthermore, the NHS estimates that it saves £100 for every £1 invested in lymphoedema services in the UK.

Ms Murray warned that the number of people affected by this condition in Ireland is set to rise as a result of the predicted increase in cancer cases, the ageing population and the increase in obesity rates.

For more information on this condition and Lymphoedema Ireland, click here