Details of Lymphedema, Upper Limb Morbidity, and Self Management in Women after Breast Cancer Treatment / 여성건강간호학회지
Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing
; : 474-483, 2011.
Article
in English
| WPRIM (Western Pacific)
| ID: wpr-189768
Responsible library:
WPRO
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE:
To examine the details of lymphedema, upper limb morbidity, and its self management in women after breast cancer treatment.METHODS:
Using a cross-sectional survey design, 81 women were recruited from a university hospital. Lymphedema was detected by a nurse as a 2-cm difference between arm circumferences at 6 different points on the arm. Degrees of pain, stiffness, and numbness were scored using a drawing of upper limb on a 0~10 point scale. Aggravating conditions and self-management for lymphedema were also recorded.RESULTS:
The mean age of the participants was 52.5 years; the average time since breast surgery was 29.7 months. Histories of modified radical mastectomy (55%) and lymph node dissection (81%) were noted. Lymphedema was found in 59% of women, then pain and stiffness were prevalent most at upper arm while numbness was apparentat fingers, and the symptom distress scores ranged 3.9~6.7. Women experienced aggravated arm swelling after routine housework with greatly varied duration. Self-management was conservative with a wide range of times for the relief of symptoms.CONCLUSION:
Lymphedema education for women with breast cancer should be incorporated into the oncologic nursing care system to prevent its occurrence and arm morbidity. Risk reduction guidelines, individually tailored self-care strategies, and self-awareness for early detection need to be refined in clinical nursing practices.
Full text:
Available
Health context:
SDG3 - Health and Well-Being
Health problem:
Target 3.4: Reduce premature mortality due to noncommunicable diseases
Database:
WPRIM (Western Pacific)
Main subject:
Oncology Nursing
/
Arm
/
Self Care
/
Breast
/
Breast Neoplasms
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Mastectomy, Modified Radical
/
Cross-Sectional Studies
/
Upper Extremity
/
Risk Reduction Behavior
/
Fingers
Type of study:
Etiology study
/
Practice guideline
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Observational study
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Prevalence study
/
Qualitative research
/
Risk factors
/
Screening study
Limits:
Female
/
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing
Year:
2011
Document type:
Article