title: Quality of life and lymphedema following breast cancer.
abstract: The aim of the study was to compare Quality of Life (QOL) of breast cancer patients with and without secondary lymphedema (SLE) using a cross-sectional design with a convenience sample. Research packets were mailed to 2088 breast cancer patients (BrCaPt). The QOL component of the study used the Quality of Life Instrument --Breast Cancer Patient Version for data collection. The sample (n = 537) was 12.9% African-American/Hispanic/Other (AA) and 87.1% European-American (EA). One hundred and twenty-two women (22.7%) reported SLE. Overall and subscale means were computed and ANOVA was determined for seven variables: age, marital status, educational level, race, type of surgery, time since diagnosis, and SLE. Women without SLE had a higher overall mean QOL score compared to women with SLE (p= 0.02). Women with a greater than high school education had a higher mean QOL score compared to women with high school or less education (p=0.05). SLE patients had poorer QOL in the physical (p<0.001), and social (p=0.004) subscales. Older women had a higher overall QOL compared to younger women (p<0.001). These results provide insight into the impact of SLE on women's QOL and pinpoint that physical and social well being are negatively influenced by SLE.
authors: Palmetto Health South Carolina Cancer Center, Columbia, SC 29203, USA. Sue.Heiney@PalmettoHealth.org
authors: S P
authors: SP
authors: Heiney
authors: J
authors: J
authors: McWayne
authors: J E
authors: JE
authors: Cunningham
authors: L J
authors: LJ
authors: Hazlett
authors: R S
authors: RS
authors: Parrish
authors: L H
authors: LH
authors: Bryant
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Vitoc
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Jansen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001365:Axilla; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000009:adverse effects; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life