MOUNT Gambier resident Pam Moulden has urged the State Government to speed up the process to develop a business case for lymphoedema compression garment subsidy.
Last year, a three-part motion spearheaded by independent MP Troy Bell calling on the introduction of a scheme was supported in State Parliament.
While Health Minister Stephen Wade confirmed funding options for a scheme was being developed, Ms Moulden pressed for a introduction of a State Government-backed scheme as a matter of urgency.
Ms Moulden, who is diagnosed with the condition, said the implementation of a subsidy scheme would provide her and others with much needed financial support in replacing her compression garment.
Lymphoedema is a swelling of a part of the body and can occur as a side effect of cancer treatment when lymph nodes have been removed or damaged.
Around 20pc of patients treated for breast, melanoma, gynaecological or prostate cancers will develop lymphoedema with the condition impacting an estimated 300,000 Australians in their lifetime.
While it is incurable and progressive, a number of treatments – including physiotherapy and compression garments – can ameliorate symptoms.
She said her high-use full arm garment had a lifespan of five months and ranged between $160 and $180 to replace.
“You really have to have two compression garments at a time because you have to wash one and wear one,” she said.
“That means the yearly costs could be around $700 per year.”
Ms Moulden said the garment costs accompanied monthly physiotherapy visits.
“Even though I have got Medibank Private which I have had for years, I’m still out of pocket by $80 because only $18 is covered by Medicare,” she said.
“But without the physio visit and the compression garments, you’re cactus.
“My arm just aches all the time and I cannot rely on that hand at all to pick anything up.
“At night time, my arm just jumps and jumps and jumps.”
Ms Moulden said although the compression scheme was a state issue, she hoped to draw Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt’s attention to the issue at tonight’s forum.
South Australia is the only state that does not provide any financial support towards the cost of compression garments.
