Lymphedema impact on quality of life in breast cancer patients

Abstract

This paper revises lymphoedema impact in a sample of women’s quality of life, after breast cancer surgery, with or without lymphoedema diagnosis. 515 breast cancer patients cancer took part in this research, 253 of whom with lymphoedema diagnosis, 262 without. In a first stage, all women answered a structured ad hoc interview. In a second stage, 52 women with lymphoedema and 55 women without lymphoedema answered FACT-B+4, a specific quality of life questionnaire. Descriptive data of sociodemographic and clinical profile coming from women with or without lymphoedema diagnosis are presented. Evaluation of quality of life, degree of information about prevention and lymphoedema treatment, psychosocial associated needs and access to psychosocial resources impact is also described. Women with and without lymphoedema diagnosis did not show any differences relating sociodemographic profile, except for age item. Patients’ clinic profile did not show any difference in diagnostic stage and received treatment variables. The evaluation of quality of life showed that patients with lymphoedema diagnosis had worse physical condition than women without lymphoedema diagnosis, a significantly more negative emotional health and worse global quality of life.