Hayes SC et al. - In a study of the prevalence and incidence of lymphedema after breast cancer (BC) treatment; personal, treatment, and behavioral correlates of lymphedema status; and presence of other upper-body symptoms (UBS) and function (UBF), it was discussed that lymphedema is a public health issue deserving greater attention Methods
287 Australian women with recently diagnosed, invasive BC were evaluated on 5 occasions using bioimpedance spectroscopy
Lymphedema was diagnosed when the ratio of impedance values, comparing treated and untreated sides, was 3 standard deviations more than normative data
UBF was assessed using the validated Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire
Results
From 6 to 18 months after surgery, 33% of the sample were classified as having lymphedema; of these, 40% had long-term lymphedema
Although older age, more extensive surgery or axillary node dissection, and experiencing 1 or more treatment-related complication(s) or symptom(s) at baseline were associated with increased odds, lower socioeconomic status, having a partner, greater child care responsibilities, being treated on the dominant side, participation in regular activity, and having good UBF were associated with decreased odds of lymphedema
Lymphedema leads to reduced UBF; however, BC survivors report high prevalences of other UBS, irrespective of lymphedema status
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