Self-Care for Lymphedema in Patients With Breast Cancer

OBJECTIVES:

Primary

- To systematically identify and describe the barriers to completing recommended at home
self-care of lymphedema in patients with breast cancer.

- To identify patient recalled instructions as to at home self-care practices for
lymphedema as told to them by healthcare professionals and others.

- To identify the current at home self-care practices of breast cancer survivors with
treatment treated lymphedema.

Secondary

- To examine the relationship between at home self-care activities and symptoms in breast
cancer survivors with lymphedema.

- To examine the relationship between at home self-care activities and quality of life in
breast cancer survivors with lymphedema.

- To identify patient-perceived benefits to at home self-care.

OUTLINE: Patients complete questionnaires about their breast cancer diagnosis and treatment
history, lymphedema history and problems, and years of education and income. Patients also
complete surveys about home self-care practices for lymphedema and any benefits, burdens, or
barriers of at home care.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- History of breast cancer

- Lymphedema in one or both arms that occurred during or after breast cancer treatment

- Must have received prior lymphedema treatment by a healthcare professional

- Patients with self-reported arm swelling subsequent to breast cancer treatment
that has not been treated by a healthcare professional are not eligible

- Hormone receptor status not specified

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

- Menopausal status not specified

- English speaking

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

- See Disease Characteristics