March 6th is World Lymphedema Day. Lymphedema, which commonly develops after some cancer treatments that remove or damage lymph nodes, affects an estimated 3 to 5 million people.

Some communities are disproportionately impacted by the lack of coverage by Medicare of lymphedema treatment supplies with recent data showing Black women are three and a half times more likely than white women to develop breast cancer-related lymphedema.

Thanks to the new law, as of January 1st, 2024, Medicare now pays for standard and custom-fitted lymphedema compression treatment items for each affected body part. Komen’s Center for Public Policy is grateful to all the advocates from our community and beyond who persevered for nearly a decade to see this become law.