Perceptions of lymphoedema treatment in patients with breast cancer - a patient perspective
Sammanfattning
Lymphoedema after breast cancer surgery is a chronic condition. Lymphoedema treatment
consists of information/advice, compression, physical exercise, skin care, and manual lymph
drainage. Little is known about how patients experience, adapt, and respond to lymphoedema
treatment. Thus, the purpose of the study was to investigate and describe women's perceptions of
lymphoedema treatment after breast cancer surgery. Sixteen women with breast-cancer-related
lymphoedema, recruited from four hospitals and two rehabilitation clinics, participated in the study.
Semi-structured interviews were conducted and analysed using a phenomenographic method. Five
qualitatively different categories of description could be identified: uncertainty, disappointment, guilt
and shame, safety, and autonomy. The categories could be described based on a two-dimensional
structure: the patients role (internal vs. external locus of control) and an understanding of
lymphoedema as a chronic disease or a burden. The study has provided a deeper understanding of
different ways in which patients perceive and respond to lymphoedema treatment. The present
findings enable the lymphoedema therapist to individualise treatment and counselling based on each
patient's approach to the patient role, ability to take responsibility for treatment, and acceptance of
lymphoedema as a chronic disease. Published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons.