The effect of preventive management path of breast cancer related lymphedema based on risk reduction program / 中国实用护理杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the effect of preventive management path of breast cancer related lymphedema based on risk reduction program on breast cancer patients underwent axillary lymph nodes dissection (ALND). Methods This study used convenient sampling method to recruit 60 patients underwent ALND. Patients were randomly divided into the control group (n=31) and the intervention group (n=29). All patients received general care while patients of the intervention group also received the Risk Reduction Program. Lymphedema symptom experience was investigated by Breast Cancer and Lymphedema Symptom Experience Index 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months after surgery. Results Twelve months after surgery, the intervention group had 4.00(8.00)lymphedema related symptoms while the controll group had 9.00(7.00), the difference was significant (Z=-2.023, P=0.043). The score of lymphedema related symptom distress in the intervention group was 3.00(7.00)while it was 7.00(17.00)in the control group, the difference was significant (Z=-2.159, P=0.031). The scores of functional dimension and sexual dimension in the intervention group were 0(2.00)and 0(0), and in the control group were 3.00(5.00)and 0(1.00), the differences were significant (Z=-2.315,-2.334, P=0.021, 0.020). No significant differences of lymphedema rate existed between groups (P>0.05). Conclusion The preventive management path of breast cancer related lymphedema based on risk reduction program can decrease the number of lymphedema symptoms and release lymphedema symptom distress.