Objectives:
To describe experiences about management of
self-care in female cancer survivors with lymphedema.
Methodological approach:
Descriptive qualitative. We used individual open interviews 1.5-2 hours per individual about
self-care related to
secondary lymphedema. Eight female cancer survivors with
secondary lymphedema participated. The interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. The content was analysed with a phenomenographical approach.
Findings:
Eight major themes emerged in the study:
acceptance, recovery, physical activity, manageability, obstacles, social
self-care, manual self-treatment, and ergonomics. The major themes were classified in subcategories.
Conclusion:
The study indicates that
self-care involves physical, psychological, and social aspects, which mean that all perspectives should be included to help patients adhere to
self-care. We need to understand that
acceptance of having lymphedema can empower the patients to actually deal with
self-care.
Interpretation:
We need to help the patients to talk about the obstacles with
self-care. We could motivate them to see the good things about themselves when the
self-care gives results and talk open minded with them about their frustration and guilt about not doing enough. A dialogue with others in the same situation, support from family and friends, and good advice from health care can empower the women, increase their self-esteem and make them feel good, and thus actually do the
self-care.
