III 

114TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 389 

Designating March 6, 2016, as the first annual ‘‘World Lymphedema Day’’. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

MARCH 3, 2016 

Mr. SCHUMER (for himself and Mr. GRASSLEY) submitted the following 

resolution; which was considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Designating March 6, 2016, as the first annual ‘‘World 

Lymphedema Day’’. 

Whereas lymphedema is a condition that— 

(1) occurs when— 

(A) the natural lymphatic drainage system of 

the body is damaged, blocked, or does not develop 

properly; and 

(B) the lymphatic fluid within a certain area, 

such as the arm, leg, torso, head, or neck, is unable 

to drain properly; 

(2) results in extreme swelling that impairs mobility 

and function; and 

(3) can cause pain and significantly impair the quality of life of the affected individual; 


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•SRES 389 ATS 

Whereas the total number of individuals living with or at risk 

for lymphedema is difficult to establish because 

lymphedema is underreported and often misdiagnosed; 

Whereas the underdiagnosis and undertreatment of 

lymphedema patients costs healthcare providers and 

healthcare insurers, including the Medicare program, millions of dollars each year because if lymphedema is left 

untreated— 

(1) the potential for infection is greatly increased; 

(2) infection may occur in the course of a few hours; 

and 

(3) immediate treatment on an emergency basis is 

required; 

Whereas the World Health Organization estimates that— 

(1) more than 150,000,000 individuals worldwide 

have secondary lymphedema; and 

(2) 120,000,000 individuals worldwide are infected 

with lymphatic filariasis, which leads to lymphedema; 

Whereas Stanford University estimates that as many as 

10,000,000 individuals in the United States are affected 

by lymphedema; 

Whereas lymphedema can— 

(1) as primary lymphedema, be inherited and either 

be present at birth or manifest itself later in life; or 

(2) as secondary lymphedema, develop after cancer 

treatment, radiation therapy, major surgery, severe burn, 

or certain other traumatic injuries, including injuries affecting combat-tested veterans of the United States; 

Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that a high percentage of elderly cancer survivors 

will develop lymphedema; 


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•SRES 389 ATS 

Whereas the National Cancer Institute predicts that, not 

later than 2020— 

(1) the number of cancer survivors aged 65 or older 

will increase by 42 percent; and 

(2) as many as 3,000,000 Medicare beneficiaries 

that are cancer survivors will require treatment for 

lymphedema; 

Whereas lymphedema affects an estimated 15 percent of all 

cancer survivors and 40 percent of all breast cancer patients; and 

Whereas, in recognition of the financial, physical, and psychological impact that lymphedema has on each individual 

afflicted with lymphedema, it is incumbent on the people 

of the United States to support— 

(1) each courageous individual living and coping 

with lymphedema, a debilitating condition; and 

(2) each caregiver, whether a professional or not a 

professional, of each individual afflicted with 

lymphedema: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That— 

2 (1) it is the sense of the Senate that each tire3 less advocate and healthcare provider that spends 

4 much time and many resources battling 

5 lymphedema, a painful and destructive condition 

6 that affects many individuals, should be recognized; 

7 and 

8 (2) the Senate designates March 6, 2016, as 

9 ‘‘World Lymphedema Day’’. 

Æ 


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