The Mount Gambier Breast Cancer Awareness Group recently purchased a $20,000 SOZO lymphoedema diagnostic machine for the Mount Gambier Hospital.

Breast cancer patients will meet with Breast Care Nurse Dana Mulraney for a consult and follow-up with a diagnostic examination to assess the likelihood of the patient developing lymphoedema.

The auxiliary nodes in individual’s armpits flush out the toxins, so when they have been removed due to breast cancer treatment, toxins can build up and cause lymphoedema.

Mount Gambier Breast Cancer Awareness Group member Jill Gilmore said lymphoedema was a chronic condition, but could be manageable if treated early.

“Dana is super excited because there is a big backlog of ladies that have been diagnosed with breast cancer and need these diagnostics done.”

The service will be available one day a week for the public system at Limestone Coast Local Health Network, Country Health Connect.