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Adherence to lymphedema prevention and control strategies in mastectomized women

This cross-sectional, descriptive and quantitative study aimed to identify adherence to lymphedema prevention and treatment strategies and relate it with the occurrence of upper limb edema on the same side of the surgery among mastectomized women. The study was carried out in the Teaching, Research and Care Group for the Rehabilitation of Mastectomized Women (REMA), at the University of São Paulo at Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing, between February 5th and June 29th 2007. Participants were 65 women who answered a questionnaire, elaborated according to literature about post-mastectomy lymphedema prevention and control. The results showed that these women know about post-breast surgery lymphedema prevention and control strategies, although many of them are not aware of the need and importance of applying these strategies. It is concluded that clarifications are needed to convince them about the need to adhere to the prevention and control strategies, in view of the severity of complications due to lymphedema.

Breast neoplasms; Lymphedema; Rehabilitation; Women's Health; Prevention and control


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