Self-Care Practices Related to Lymphedema Post Radical Mastectomy

Lymphedema is a life-long condition, so patient education in self-management is veryimportant ,moreover to reduce the risk of developing lymphedema or having lymphedemaworsen, all patients with lymphedema or at‐risk for lymphedema should be instructed inessential self-care. Importantly, with the early identification and management of lymphedema,we can help many of our patients maintain their quality of life by minimizing cosmetic,functional, psychoemotional, and potentially life-threatening complications. Objective: Assessself-care practices regarding lymphedema after radical mastectomy. Settings: The study wasconducted at the Main University Hospital and Gamal Abd-Elnaser Hospital in Alexandria.Subjects: The study was conducted on 50 adult female patients who had unilateralmastectomy with Axillary s Lymph Node Dissection. Tools: Two tools were used to collectdata; Patient s Sociodemographic and Clinical Data Tool and Lymphedema s Knowledge andSelf-care Structured Interview Schedule. Results: Concerning type of surgery, 40% and 44%were treated by Modified radical mastectomy and Radical mastectomy respectively. Inrelation to post operative period; it is noticed that 80% of the studied patient were postoperative 15 weeks. 82% of the studied patients showed unsatisfactory self-care practicesregarding following principles and practicing self-care of affected limb after radicalmastectomy such as skin care, exercises, using garment and close observation of the limb ascompared with 18% who had satisfactory scores. Conclusion: It is apparent from the presentstudy that the majority of women who are developing post-radical mastectomy lymphedemadid not practice self-care at the time of surgery and it is related to a lack of knowledge onlymphedema care amongst breast cancer patients. Recommendations: In order to improvepatients’ level awareness of lymphedema self- care, the provision for systematic andcomprehensive patient education, including management protocols for lymphedema, need tobe addressed. Education and training will be essential components of efforts to ensureappropriate care for lymphedema patients in all community health resources and hospitals.