Lymphedema Five Years After
Posted 6/27/2011
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This is an interesting article from the British Medical Journal about the needs of women who have had breast cancer re lymphedema some years after treatment. As we know, the risk of developing lymphedema is forever, so we all need to be informed and make some decisions re how we will manage our behaviors. The National Lymphedema Network ( www.lymphnet.org/lymphedema) publishes a lot of information. Certainly, there are some women who will adhere to every suggestion and others who will be more selective. Personally, I do wear gloves when gardening, pay attention to any cuts on my left hands(meaning, I put on antibiotic cream), and don't carry anything heavy with my left arm extended down. I am definitely not recommending this choices, just giving you a context.
Here is the introduction to the article and then a link to read more:
Priorities for women with lymphoedema after treatment for breast cancer: population based cohort study
Afaf Girgis, professor,1 Fiona Stacey, research officer,2 Teresa Lee, lymphoedema physiotherapist ,3 Deborah Black, professor,4 Sharon Kilbreath, professor
ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the perceived unmet needs among women treated for breast cancer and in whom symptoms and signs indicate the presence of lymphoedema. Design Population based cross sectional survey with a purpose designed questionnaire (60 items).
Setting Cancer registries of New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. Participants 237 women with symptoms and signs indicative of lymphoedema from an initial 1930 eligible women.
Main outcome measure Unmet needs in the previous month across psychological, health system and information, physical and daily living, patient care and support, sexuality needs, body image, and financial domains.
Results The 10 items most commonly identified as a "moderate to high current need" included having their doctor and allied health workers being fully informed about lymphoedema, acknowledge the seriousness of the condition, and be willing to treat it. Women also wanted access to up to date treatments, both mainstream and alternative, and financial assistance for their garments. The three factors that explained most of the variance were: information and support (11 items), which accounted for 49% of the variance; body image and self esteem (seven items; 7% variance); and health system (seven items; 5% variance). Examination of these three factors showed that while the levels of need were generally low, they were common.
Conclusion To address the needs of women with lymphoedema and perhaps to prevent progression of lymphoedema, it is important that practitioners do not dismiss mild symptoms and that women are referred to an appropriate specialist.
http://www.bmj.com/content/342/bmj.d3442.full
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