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

Abstract

Objective: 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. Material and Methods: The study was conducted with 125 patients. The data were collected by using the Patient Information Form and the Turkish version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire-DASH. 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 women, but there was a significant difference between exercise duration and the presence of lymphedema (p