Factors associated with professional healthcare advice seeking in breast cancer-related lymphedema.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to identify the cognitive factors associated with the professional healthcare advice (PHCA) seeking behavior in breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL).

METHODS

From January 2018 to December 2018, patients with BCRL were prospectively enrolled for a cross-sectional survey of lymphedema-related perceived risks, lymphedema quality of life (LYMQoL), knowledge scale of lymphedema, and PHCA behavior at first clinical visit, 3 and 6 months postbaseline.

RESULTS

A total of 180 patients including 100 (55.6%) patients underwent a vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT) and 80 (44.4%) patients received compressive decongestive therapy (CDT) were enrolled. At 6 months of follow-up, mean episodes of cellulitis (from 2.2 to 0.2 times/year), mean circumferential difference (7.8 ± 3.9%), wearing compression garments (from 29% to 0 %) in the VLNT group were statistically reduced than those in the CDT group (p = .01, <.01, and <.01, respectively). The overall LYMQoL had statistical improvement in VLNT group (p < .01). The short symptom duration, greater education level, less episodes of cellulitis, and higher knowledge of lymphedema were associated with increased adherence to PHCA (p = .03, .03, .02, and .01, respectively).

CONCLUSION

BCRL patients who sought PHCA had great control of lymphedema and improve their quality of life.