Quality of life of Patient with Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema in Regional Cancer Centre, South India
1Sonam Paden Bhutia; 2Kumari Manjini Jeyaram; 3Biswajit DubashiIntroduction: To assess the quality of life among breast cancer related lymphedema patients. Methods: Cross-sectional study used to assess the quality of life among breast cancer related lymphedema patients among 92 patients by convenience sampling technique. The female patient more than 18 years with breast cancer related lymphedema who has attended outpatient department in Regional Cancer Centre, South India. The investigator assesses the upper limb lymphedema by taking their arm circumference measurement with tape measurement and respectively grading, for all patients with a difference of ≥2cm from unaffected arm measurement. The data was collected by interview method with standardized questionnaire- Lymphedema Quality of Life (LYMQOL). There were 22 total questionnaires, divided into four domains- function, appearance, symptoms, and emotions. Results: Among 92 breast cancer related lymphedema patients, majority of them that is 46 (50%) of the patients had average quality of life, 43 (46.7%) had poor quality of life and few of them had 3 (3.3%) excellent quality of life, respectively. The study helps to conclude that quality of life of breast cancer related lymphedema patients is significant with lymphedema stage. Conclusion: The nurses in their practice can keep in track of patients arm circumference when performing an assessment on breast cancer.