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Lymphedema self-care in patients with head and neck cancer: a qualitative study

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Abstract

Purpose

Lymphedema is a frequent side effect from head and neck cancer and/or its treatment. As a chronic and progressive condition, it requires an individual’s long-term involvement in self-care for management of lymphedema. This study aimed to report head and neck cancer patients’ perceived lymphedema education, self-care practices, and suggestions related to self-care of head and neck lymphedema.

Methods

Twenty head and neck cancer patients who completed lymphedema therapy participated in semi-structured face-to-face interviews. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. Content analysis was used to analyze the interview data.

Results

All participants reported that they were educated about self-care activities for lymphedema management by their lymphedema therapists. Although most participants (n = 16, 80 %) expressed positive comments about lymphedema self-care education, some participants (n = 7, 35 %) described issues related to lymphedema self-care education. A majority of the participants (n = 17, 85 %) reported that they were conducting some lymphedema self-care activities; nonetheless, more than half of the participants (n = 11, 55 %) delineated barriers for diminished lymphedema self-care activities over time. Participants further indicated suggestions for improving and ensuring consistency of lymphedema self-care.

Conclusions

Opportunities exist to improve lymphedema self-care in head and neck cancer patients. Healthcare professionals should focus on delivering high quality and targeted information about self-care for management of head and neck lymphedema. Interventional research is warranted to address gaps in long-term self-care of head and neck lymphedema.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, 461 21st Ave. South, Godchaux Hall 516, Nashville, TN, 37240, USA

    Jie Deng & Barbara A. Murphy

Authors
  1. Jie Deng
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  2. Barbara A. Murphy
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Correspondence to Jie Deng.

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Funding

This research was supported by the Vanderbilt Office of Clinical and Translational Scientist Development.

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None to declare.

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Deng, J., Murphy, B.A. Lymphedema self-care in patients with head and neck cancer: a qualitative study. Support Care Cancer 24, 4961–4970 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-016-3356-2

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