Self-Care for Lymphedema in Patients With Breast Cancer

Overview

RATIONALE: Identifying why patients don't do self care for lymphedema may help doctors plan better at-home self-care treatment. PURPOSE: This research study is looking at self-care practices for lymphedema in patients with breast cancer.

Full Title of Study: “Breast Cancer Treatment Related Lymphedema Self Care Practices”

Study Type

  • Study Type: Observational
  • Study Design
    • Time Perspective: Prospective
  • Study Primary Completion Date: May 2007

Detailed Description

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.

Interventions

  • Other: questionnaire administration
    • Completed self-report form
  • Other: survey administration
    • Completed self-report form-other
  • Procedure: quality-of-life assessment
    • Completed self-report form qol

Clinical Trial Outcome Measures

Primary Measures

  • Identification and description of barriers to completing recommended at home self-care of lymphedema
    • Time Frame: one time only for approximately 15 minutes
  • Identification of patients recalled instructions as to at home self-care practices for lymphedema as told to them by healthcare professionals and others
    • Time Frame: one time only for approximately 15 minutes
  • Identification of current at home self-care practices for lymphedema
    • Time Frame: one time only for approximately 15 minutes

Secondary Measures

  • Relationship between at home self-care activities, symptoms, and quality of life in breast cancer survivors with lymphedema
    • Time Frame: one time only for approximately 15 minutes
  • Identification of patient-perceived benefits to at home self-care
    • Time Frame: one time only for approximately 15 minutes

Participating in This Clinical Trial

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

  • History of breast cancer – Lymphedema in one or both arms that occurred during or after breast cancer treatment – Must have received prior lymphedema treatment by a healthcare professional – Patients with self-reported arm swelling subsequent to breast cancer treatment that has not been treated by a healthcare professional are not eligible – Hormone receptor status not specified PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: – Menopausal status not specified – English speaking PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: – See Disease Characteristics

Gender Eligibility: Female

Minimum Age: 18 Years

Maximum Age: 120 Years

Are Healthy Volunteers Accepted: No

Investigator Details

  • Lead Sponsor
    • Vanderbilt University
  • Collaborator
    • National Cancer Institute (NCI)
  • Provider of Information About this Clinical Study
    • Principal Investigator: Sheila Ridner, Professor – Vanderbilt University
  • Overall Official(s)
    • Shiela H. Ridner, MSN, PhD, RN, Study Chair, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center

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