Status of Benghazi women’s experiences with Breast cancer–related lymph oedema
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Date
2009
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sebha University
Abstract
Objective: One distressing health problem facing breast cancer patients is breast cancer–related lymph oedema (BCRL). This incurable condition can occur many years after treatment is completed and often causes pain and disability and interferes with work and activities of daily living.
Design: A focus group and 15 individual in-depth interviews.
Setting: Hawari Radiology Centre and Shifa Rehabilitation Centre.
Participants: A diverse sample of 22 women with BCRL was obtained using age, location, time after breast cancer diagnosis, and onset of BCRL symptoms as selection criteria.
Method: The focus group discussion guided development of a semi structured interview guide that was used for 15 individual interviews exploring women’s experiences with BCRL.
Main Findings: Four themes emerged from the interviews. First, participants thought they were poorly informed about the possibility of developing BCRL. Eleven women reported receiving very little or no information about BCRL. Second, triggers and symptoms varied. They reported a variety of both aggravating and alleviating factors for their symptoms.
Conclusion: Participants were unaware of the risk factors and treatment options for BCRL. Family physicians should discuss BCRL with their breast cancer patients routinely. They should be vigilant for the possible onset of BCRL and, if it is diagnosed, should manage it aggressively to minimize the severe effect it has on the lives of breast cancer patients.