Behaviors to Prevent Lymphedema and Functional Use of Arms of Patients with Breast Cancer after Surgery

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this descriptive study was to determine the behaviors to prevent lymphedema and functional use of arms patients with breast cancer after surgery. Material and Methods: The study was conducted with 125 patients. The data were collected using the Patient Information Form and the Turkish version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire-DASH. Chi square, Fisher exact and Independent-Samples t test were used for statistical evaluation of the data. Results: Lymphedema was detected in 21.6% of the women with breast cancer after surgical treatment. There was no significant difference between exercise status and lymphedema development of the women, but there was a significant difference between exercise duration and the presence of lymphedema (p<0.05). The DASH mean score of the women in the study was found to be 25.57 ± 15.86. The patients with lymphedema had higher DASH scores and had more arm weakness. Conclusion: It is recommended that nurses give training and consultancy to women with breast cancer and inform patients to do the recommended exercises by regular followups after surgical treatment.