The Predictive Role of Illness Perception on Lymphedema Risk-Management Behaviors in Women After Breast Cancer Surgery: A Longitudinal Study.

Background: Illness perception affects lymphedema risk-management behaviors. However, little is known about these behavioral changes within 6 months after surgery and how illness perception predicts behavioral trajectories.

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the trajectories of lymphedema risk-management behaviors in breast cancer survivors within 6 months after surgery and the predictive role of illness perception.

Methods: Participants were recruited from a cancer hospital in China and completed a baseline survey (Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire) and follow-up assessments (Lymphedema Risk-Management Behavior Questionnaire and the physical exercise compliance dimension of the Functional Exercise Adherence Scale) at the first, third, and sixth months postoperatively.

Results: A total of 251 women were analyzed. Regarding the Lymphedema Risk-Management Behavior Questionnaire, the total scores were stable. The scores of the "lifestyle" and "skin care" dimensions showed upward trends; the scores of the "avoiding compression and injury" and "other matters needing attention" dimensions showed downward trends. For "physical exercise compliance," scores remained stable. Furthermore, key illness perceptions (especially "personal control" and "causes") at baseline could predict the starting levels of and changes in behavioral trajectories.

Conclusion: Different lymphedema risk-management behaviors exhibited different trajectories and could be predicted by illness perception.

Implications for practice: Oncology nurses should focus on the early development of behaviors related to "lifestyle" and "skin care" and the later maintenance of "avoiding compression and injury" and "other matters needing attention" during follow-up, as well as help women strengthen their personal control beliefs and correctly understand the causes of lymphedema during hospitalization.