"I Cannot Walk Far or Go Anywhere": The Experience of Lower Limb Lymphedema Among Women With Gynecological Cancer.

Abstract

Background: Lower limb lymphedema (LLL) significantly impacts the quality of life in women who have undergone gynecological cancer surgery, limiting their physical activities, household chores, and social interactions. Despite its prevalence, there is a lack of comprehensive understanding of the lived experiences of these women.

Objective: To explore the experiences of LLL in Taiwanese women following gynecological cancer surgery.

Methods: Using a qualitative, descriptive design, 12 Taiwanese participants aged between 48 and 74 years who had LLL after gynecological cancer surgery were interviewed. Interview data were analyzed using inductive content analysis to identify key themes and subthemes.

Results: Four main themes and 13 subthemes emerged from the data: lacking awareness and vigilance, suffering from lymphedema, adapting to body image changes, and self-managing everyday life. These themes illustrate the extensive physical, psychological, and social challenges faced by the participants.

Conclusion: Findings depict the profound impact of LLL on daily life among Taiwanese women after gynecological cancer surgery. The findings highlight the need for comprehensive care that addresses the multifaceted challenges posed by lymphedema.

Implication for practice: Oncology healthcare providers should integrate education and symptom management skills about lymphedema into patient care. In addition, there is an urgent need for accessible lymphedema care resources to support these women.