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.
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.
Authors: René Aloisio da Costa Vieira; Allini Mafra da Costa; Josue Lopes de Souza; Rafael Richieri Coelho; Cleyton Zanardo de Oliveira; Almir José Sarri; Renato José Affonso Junior; Gustavo Zucca-Matthes Journal: Breast Care (Basel) Date: 2015-12-14 Impact factor: 2.860
Authors: Jane M Armer; Robin P Shook; Melanie K Schneider; Constance W Brooks; Julie Peterson; Bob R Stewart Journal: Self Care Depend Care Nurs Date: 2009-10
Authors: Mei R Fu; Deborah Axelrod; Amber A Guth; Kavita Rampertaap; Nardin El-Shammaa; Karen Hiotis; Joan Scagliola; Gary Yu; Yao Wang Journal: Mhealth Date: 2016-07-22
Authors: Mei R Fu; Yao Wang; Chenge Li; Zeyuan Qiu; Deborah Axelrod; Amber A Guth; Joan Scagliola; Yvette Conley; Bradley E Aouizerat; Jeanna M Qiu; Gary Yu; Janet H Van Cleave; Judith Haber; Ying Kuen Cheung Journal: Mhealth Date: 2018-05-29