title: Coping and quality of life of patients following microsurgical treatment for breast cancer-related lymphedema.
abstract: Breast cancer-related lymphedema is associated with numerous adverse outcomes. This study investigated the extent clinical factors, lymphedema symptoms, lymphedema-related appearance, and coping strategies predicted quality of life. Female patients who underwent microsurgical treatment for lymphedema (n = 54) participated. Lymphedema symptoms were associated with physical and functional well-being, but not emotional and social well-being. Clinical factors and lymphedema-related appearance were not significantly associated with quality of life. Compared to adaptive coping strategies, maladaptive coping strategies (e.g. denial, venting, self-blame) were more strongly associated with quality of life. This suggests psychosocial interventions aimed at modifying maladaptive coping behaviors can potentially improve quality of life for this patient population.
authors.affiliation: The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, USA.
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Teo
authors.affiliation: The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, USA mcfinger@mdanderson.org.
authors.forename: Michelle Cororve
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Fingeret
authors.affiliation: The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, USA.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: University of Chicago Medicine & Biological Sciences, USA.
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: breast cancer; coping; health psychology; quality of life; survivorship