Post-breast cancer lymphedema: understanding women's knowledge of their condition.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate chronic condition representations and treatment choices among women with post-breast cancer lymphedema (LE) to understand their receipt and use of accurate medical information.


METHODS
Qualitative, template analysis.


METHODS
Midsized midwestern city and surrounding rural areas.


METHODS
18 Caucasian women aged 37-87 years (mean = 58.8 years) with LE.


METHODS
Telephone and face-to-face interviews, lasting 45-60 minutes, were conducted by research students and graduate nursing students. Interviews were audiotaped, professionally transcribed, and verified for transcription accuracy. Self-regulation theory as a template was applied to (a) understand participants' use of health information to cope with LE and (b) evaluate the accuracy of participants' health information that may have influenced participants' abilities to make appropriate prevention or treatment choices.


METHODS
Participants' illness representations and coping strategies.


RESULTS
Participants were aware of the fundamental cause of their LE--breast cancer treatment. They also were conscious of other causes of symptom onset. These causes are supported by existing empirical evidence. Participants' treatment choices were consistent (e.g., use of compression treatment, massage, elevation, pumps, therapists and therapy centers, and positive attitude and faith) and inconsistent (e.g., effectiveness of exercise and medication in management of LE) with empirical evidence.


CONCLUSIONS
Future research and practice should target the role of exercise as a cause of LE and as a treatment option, investigate allergic reactions as a possible catalyst of LE symptoms, work to improve diagnosis of LE and patient education, and examine the effectiveness of medications as a treatment method.


CONCLUSIONS
Review of LE risk factors in the postoperative period and continued assessment and education are vital to a comprehensive approach to post-breast cancer LE care.
Radina
M Elise
ME
University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA, USA. elise.radina@uni.edu
Armer
Jane M
JM
Culbertson
Scott D
SD
Dusold
Julie M
JM
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications; D019359:Knowledge; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D005082:Physical Exertion; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012648:Self Care; D013471:Sunburn / Q000150:complications