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

Authors: Fu, Mei R.; Axelrod, Deborah; Haber, Judith

Source: Journal of Nursing Scholarship, Volume 40, Number 4, December 2008 , pp. 341-348(8)

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Abstract:

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.

Keywords: breast-cancer-related lymphedema; symptoms; risk-reduction behaviors

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1547-5069.2008.00248.x

Affiliations: 1: Mei R. Fu, RN, PhD, ACNS-BC, Assistant Professor, College of Nursing; Deborah Axelrod, MD, FACS, Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, NYU Clinical Cancer Center; Judith Haber, APRN-BC, PhD, FAAN, Professor, College of Nursing; all at New York University, NY. This study was supported by a research grant from Avon Foundation and a grant from the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing, New York University. The authors thank the participants who shared their valuable experiences in the study. The authors thank the NYU Pless Center of Nursing Research for continuous research support. The authors also thank all the physicians and nurses at NYU Clinical Cancer Center for their great support for this study. And thanks also go to Dr. Zeyuan Qiu and Dr. Robert Norman for statistical analysis, Dr. Jane Armer for her expert consultation, as well as to Ms. Irene Lou and Ms. Carol Lee for helping with data entry and cleaning. Correspondence to Dr. Fu, 246 Greene Street, College of Nursing, New York University, York, NY 10003-6677., Email: mf67@nyu.edu

Publication date: 2008-12-01

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

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