The functional use of the arms of patients with breast cancer after surgical treatment and their behaviors to prevent lymphedema

Abstract Purpose The aim of this descriptive study was to determine the functional use of the arms of patients with breast cancer after surgical treatment and their behaviors to prevent lymphedema. Methods The study was conducted with 125 patients. The data were collected by using the Individual Information Form and the Turkish version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire-DASH Problems. Chi square, Fisher exact and Independent-Samples t test were used for statistical evaluation of the data. Results Lymphedema was detected in 21% of the women with breast cancer after surgical treatment. There was no significant difference between exercise status and lymphedema development of the patients, but there was a significant difference between exercise duration and the presence of lymphedema (p < 0.05). The DASH mean score of the women in the study was found to be 25.57 ± 15.86. The patients with lymphedema had higher DASH score and had more arm weakness. Conclusions It is recommended that nurses give training and consultancy to women with breast cancer and inform patients to do the recommended exercises by regularly following up them after surgical treatment.