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Breast-Cancer-Related Lymphedema: Information, Symptoms, and Risk-Reduction Behaviors

2008; Wiley; Volume: 40; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1111/j.1547-5069.2008.00248.x

1547-5069

Mei R. Fu, Deborah Axelrod, Judith Haber,

Cancer survivorship and care

Purpose: To explore the effect of providing lymphedema information on breast cancer survivors' symptoms and practice of risk‐reduction behaviors. Design: A cross‐sectional design was used to obtain data from 136 breast‐cancer survivors in New York City from August 2006 to May 2007. Descriptive statistics, t tests, chi‐square tests, and correlations were calculated. Methods: Data were collected using a demographic and medical information interview tool, two questions regarding status of receiving lymphedema information, the Lymphedema and Breast Cancer Questionnaire, and Lymphedema Risk‐Reduction Behavior Checklist. Findings: Fifty‐seven percent of the participants reported that they received lymphedema information. On average, participants had three lymphedema‐related symptoms. Only 18% of participants were free of symptoms. Participants who received information reported significantly fewer symptoms (t=3.03; p<0.00) and practicing more risk‐reduction behaviors (t=2.42; p=0.01). Conclusions: Providing lymphedema information has an effect on symptom reduction and more risk‐reduction behaviors being practiced among breast cancer survivors. Clinical Relevance: In clinical practice, nurses and other healthcare professionals could consider taking the initiative to provide adequate and accurate information and engage breast‐cancer survivors in supportive dialogues concerning lymphedema risk‐reduction.