Qualitative research on risk factors of lymphedema for patients with breast cancer

Objective To deeply understand the risk factors of lymphedema for patients with breast cancer after surgery. Methods The phenomenological method was applied in this study. Semi-structured interview was used to collected data from 9 female breast cancer patients with lymphedema after surgery in our hospital from June to September 2016 for generic analysis. Results The risk factors of lymphedema could be categorized into four themes: (1)choice of treatment is the primary cause: axillary lymph node dissection; radiotherapy; chemotherapy; (2)not paying enough attention to lymphedema: lacking the knowledge of lymphedema; imbalance of physical activities for the affected limb; lacking awareness of exercise and protection of the affected limb. Conclusions Axillary lymph node dissection after radical surgery for patients with breast cancer is the primary cause of lymphedema, and paying not enough attention is an important factor, especially lacking the consciousness of prevention, so the nurses should emphasize education about prevention of lymphedema after surgery for patients, to improve the consciousness of them to reduce the occurrence of lymphedema and its influence on their quality of life. Key words: Breast neoplasms; Lymphedema; Risk factors; qualitative research