Progetto educativo per la prevenzione linfedema secondario nelle pazienti con carcinoma mammario: studio di coorte

Abstract

Introduction: Secondary lymphoedema represents a potential complication of axillary lymphadenectomy for breast cancer. lymphoedema related to breast cancer, requires targeted interventions based on the best scientific evidence in order to motivate patients to observe behaviour that will reduce the risk. The aim of the study is to structure an educational intervention and evaluate the knowledge of patients who have undergone lymph node removal in the prevention of lymphoedema. Materials and methods: Prospective cohort study, conducted between May and August 2014 on patients undergoing axillary lymphadenectomy for breast cancer. The patients were divided into three cohorts, the first group received the educational intervention, the second group received routine information while the third group consisted of patients being treated for lymphoedema. Results: the sample consists of 45 patients, 57.8% of the sample knew the preventive measures for lymphoedema, 13.3% of patients did not receive any information, more than 20% of the sample identifies the nurse as the main source of information. Discussion: The group of patients given the educational intervention, started preoperatively, have more knowledge about prevention, are more aware of the risks compared with the group that received the routine information while patients treated for lymphoedema have good knowledge. Conclusion: Patient management capacity improves significantly as the level of information received increases. The educational intervention begins in the perioperative phase, nurses must favour the process of self-care of the patients by improving their knowledge and skills in the prevention of lymphoedema.