Abstract
Background: Breast cancer related lymphedema represents a major complication of breast cancer treatment, impacting the quality of life of breast cancer survivors. Patients with lymphedema need to conduct lifelong self care activities to control the progression of swelling, manage lymphedema-associated symptom burden, and minimize long term negative outcomes. Aim: This study aimed to assess knowledge and self care practices of women with breast cancer related lymphedema. Study design: A descriptive study design was utilized to conduct this study. Setting: This study was conducted in the outpatient breast clinic at Oncology Center and Nuclear Medicine, affiliated to Ain Shams University Hospitals. Subjects: A purposive sample of 50 women newly diagnosed with breast cancer related lymphedema, post mastectomy, and treated with radiotherapy. Data collection tools: A structured interview questionnaire for women with breast cancer related lymphedema, and self care practices questionnaire. Results: The mean age of the studied women was 47.71±7.16, and about one fifth of them had satisfactory level of total knowledge regarding breast cancer related lymphedema, also; the minority of them had adequate level of total lymphedema self care practices. Moreover there is statistically significant difference between the self care practices of the studied women and their educational level. Conclusion: The majority of the studied women had unsatisfactory knowledge regarding breast cancer related lymphedema, and almost of them had inadequate lymphedema self care practices. Recommendations: Educational programs about lymphedema and risk reduction methods after the breast surgery are strongly needed. Also, continuous in service educational programs should be held for all the health care team working in breast cancer units. In addition, further researches are recommended to assess barriers to self care among patients with breast cancer related lymphedema.
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