Relation between Practicing Lymphedema Risk Reduction Strategies by Women Post Mastectomy and Stages of Lymphedema

Abstract

Background: practicing lymphedema risk reduction strategies have a great effect on stages of lymphedema post mastectomy and slow down the transition from stage to another stage. Aim: The current study aimed to determine the relation between practicing lymphedema risk reduction strategies by women post mastectomy and stages of lymphedema through: 1) Assessing the women’s knowledge and practices regarding lymphedema risk-reduction strategies. 2) Assessing the stages of lymphedema. 3) Determining the relation between practicing lymphedema risk reduction strategies by women post mastectomy and stages of lymphedema. Design: Cross sectional descriptive design was used. Subjects: Purposive samples of 80 adult female patients with post mastectomy lymphedema were recruited in the current study. Setting: At the oncology outpatient clinics and oncology department at radiation oncology and nuclear medicine center affiliated to Ain Shams University., Cairo, Egypt. Tools: 1) Patients` knowledge assessment structured interview questionnaire 2) Lymphedema risk reduction strategies checklist. 3) Lymphedema staging assessment scale.