PROJECT TEAM
Tine Damsgaard, Professor, Chief Consultant, Plastic Surgeon, University of Southern Denmark
Ida Grønborg, PhD, Human Nutrition, BMD Fellow, Co-Founder Cacto Health
Mads Skak, MSc, Industrial Design, BMD Fellow, Co-Founder Cacto Health
THE NEED
Too many patients suffer unnecessarily from lymphedema because current diagnostics wait for symptoms to appear. This delays treatment and leads to worse outcomes, higher costs, and lower quality of life.
THE SOLUTION
A user-friendly, home-based monitoring system using bioimpedance technology and a companion app to detect early signs of lymphedema and initiate preventive compression therapy.
MyLymphCare – University Hospital of Southern Denmark
Call 5 – 2024
GRANT: 500,000 DKK
Clinical Area
Oncology, Breast cancer, Rehabilitation
Technology
Medical device, Digital health, Bioimpedance, Remote monitoring, Prevention
PROJECT SUMMARY
Lymphedema affects over 20% of breast cancer survivors due to treatments such as lymph node dissection and radiation. Current diagnosis relies on visible symptoms, often delaying effective intervention. MyLymphCare enables early detection and prevention by letting high-risk patients monitor themselves at home using a bioimpedance-based wearable device and app-guided compression therapy. By intervening during the “window of opportunity,” the technology aims to reduce the incidence of chronic lymphedema to under 5%. The solution empowers patients, improves quality of life, and reduces strain on the healthcare system.
CLINICAL IMPACT
Early intervention can prevent chronic lymphedema, reduce hospital visits and use of resources, and help patients maintain a higher quality of life, work ability, and independence.