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Supportive Care in Cancer

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01-12-2021 | Breast Cancer | Original Article

Breast cancer-related lymphedema patient and healthcare professional experiences in lymphedema self-management: a qualitative study

Authors: Huihui Zhao, Yanni Wu, Chunlan Zhou, Wenji Li, Xiaojin Li, Liling Chen

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 12/2021

Abstract

Purpose

Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) self-management plays an important role in the lymphedema therapy. However, clinical knowledge of BCRL self-management remains minimal. This study aims to explore the experience surrounding lymphedema self-management from the perspectives of BCRL patients and healthcare professionals.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were implemented with BCRL patients and healthcare professionals. Audio-recordings of interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematic analysis was undertaken to analyze the interview data.

Results

Thirteen BCRL patients (aged 34–65 years) and nine healthcare professionals (2 physicians, 4 nurses, and 3 lymphedema therapists) were interviewed. Five themes emerged from interviews with participants: knowledge-attitude-practice surrounding lymphedema self-management, emotional reactions towards lymphedema self-management, factors influencing lymphedema self-management, support needs for lymphedema self-management, healthcare professional support of BCRL self-management.

Conclusions

This study showed knowledge-attitude-practice, feelings, influencing factors, roles, dilemmas, and support needs regarding BCRL self-management. Greater effort is required for healthcare professionals to strengthen the lymphedema self-management. Providing more educational program and holistic support, and strengthening the facilitators and controlling the barriers might benefit promoting lymphedema self-management. Likewise, healthcare professionals need adequate training to be able to meet patients’ self-management support needs.

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Title: Breast cancer-related lymphedema patient and healthcare professional experiences in lymphedema self-management: a qualitative study
Authors: Huihui Zhao
Yanni Wu
Chunlan Zhou
Wenji Li
Xiaojin Li
Liling Chen
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Breast Cancer
Lymphedema
Breast Cancer
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 12/2021
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-021-06390-8

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