Self-Care for Lymphedema in Patients With Breast Cancer

• Identification and description of barriers to completing recommended at home self-care of lymphedema [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  
• Identification of patients recalled instructions as to at home self-care practices for lymphedema as told to them by healthcare professionals and others [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  
• Identification of current at home self-care practices for lymphedema [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  

• Relationship between at home self-care activities, symptoms, and quality of life in breast cancer survivors with lymphedema [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  
• Identification of patient-perceived benefits to at home self-care [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  

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.