Care practices in complementary and alternative medicine in Thai breast cancer survivors

Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on May 15, 2013).The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file.Dissertation advisor: Dr. Jane M. ArmerIncludes bibliographical references.Vita.Thesis (Ph. D.) University of Missouri-Columbia 2012."May 2012"The purpose of the study was to explore perspectives of Thai breast cancer survivors and Thai nurses about care practices in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). The study used an ethnonursing method. Seventeen Thai breast cancer survivors and fifteen Thai nurses were interviewed. The transcribed interviews were analyzed using the ethnonursing analysis method. The findings showed that care practices in CAM were seen as: (1) an additional beneficial choice for health; (2) emotional and psychological healing; and (3) a powerful physical healing. Performing care practices in CAM was composed of two phrases: (1) seeking and gathering CAM information and (2) trying out many types of CAM. The influencing factors for selection CAM were: kinship and social factors, economic factors, and belief factors. Nurses should be concerned about CAM use in Thai breast cancer survivors. Open communication about CAM helps ensure that safe and holistic care is provided.Includes bibliographical reference

Breast cancer-related lymphedema: A literature review for clinical practice

AbstractLymphedema is the swelling of soft tissues as a result of the accumulation of protein-rich fluid in extracellular spaces. Secondary lymphedema is precipitated by an event causing blockage or interruption of the lymphatic vessels. Secondary lymphedema is a potential complication that may affect the quality of life of patients treated for breast cancer. Life-long risk factors of post-breast cancer lymphedema are related to the extent of axillary node involvement, type of breast surgery, and radiation therapy. These factors decrease lymphatic drainage and increase stasis of fluids in the areas of skin and subcutaneous tissues that drain to regional lymph nodes. Breast cancer-related lymphedema can involve the arm and hand, as well as the breast and trunk on the operative side. Clinical symptom assessment and circumferential measures are widely used to evaluate lymphedema. Treatment of lymphedema associated with breast cancer can include combined modality approaches, compression therapy, therapeutic exercises, and pharmacotherapy

Self-reported symptoms and managment by midwestern breast cancer survivors

Lymphedema (LE) is a life-long potential consequence of breast cancer treatment that may affect quality of life of breast cancer survivors in long-term survivorship. Previous studies reported that about 2 million women living with breast cancer are at a lifetime risk for LE development. Information from self-reported lymphedema symptoms and its management will provide potential early detection and intervention to manage LE. The purposes of this study were: To report the frequency of occurrence of commonly self- reported LE symptoms following breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. To find the most commonly reported self-management actions taken for the five LE symptoms.Research supported by NIH/NINR NR05342/NR010293, University of Missouri PRIME funds, and Ellis Fischel Cancer Center research funds

Effects of weight-lifting or resistance exercise on breast cancer-related lymphedema: A systematic review

The purpose of this systematic review was to identify the effects of weight-lifting or resistance exercise on breast cancer-related lymphedema. Published articles written in English were retrieved from electronic databases, including ScienceDirect, PubMed, Scopus, and CINAHL databases. Hand-searches for unpublished papers were also completed. Content analysis was used to examine articles that met the inclusion criteria. Among 525 searched papers, 15 papers met the inclusion criteria: 13 trials evaluated weight-lifting or resistance exercise alone and two trials evaluated weight-lifting or resistance exercise plus aerobic exercise. The results of the review showed that no arm volume change was observed for either exercise modality. In addition, six included studies showed that weight-lifting or resistance exercise did not cause lymphedema or adverse events in patients at risk of breast cancer-related lymphedema. For patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema, six studies reported that change of swelling outcome measures were not significantly different between the weight-lifting or resistance exercise group and the control group. However, three included studies reported that volume of arm was significantly more reduced in the weight-lifting or resistance exercise group than those in the control group. The findings suggest that supervised resistance exercise may be safe, feasible, and beneficial in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema or at risk for breast cancer-related lymphedema. However, the limitation of small sample size implies that further research is needed to confirm these findings. Keywords: Breast neoplasms, Lymphedema, Resistance training, Weight liftin

Perspectives of the Breast Cancer Survivorship Continuum: Diagnosis through 30 Months Post-Treatment

This study explored breast cancer survivors’ perspectives regarding their experiences of the survivorship continuum from diagnosis through 30 months post-treatment. The sample included women (N = 379) with newly-diagnosed breast cancer undergoing treatment at a Midwestern university-affiliated cancer center. Semi-structured interviews were conducted using the Lymphedema and Breast Cancer Questionnaire at time of diagnosis, post-operatively, quarterly during the first year, and then semi-annually thereafter through 30 months post-treatment. A mixed-methodology was used to analyze participants’ comments. Themes central to long-term survivorship experiences included social support, positive worldviews, breast cancer and lymphedema health literacy, religious/spiritual beliefs, self-empowerment, and recovery expectations. These themes were consistent with a psychoneuroimmunological model of health in which psychosocial variables mediate stress and influence health outcomes. Qualitative data showed that social support and positive worldviews were the two themes with the most significant impact on long-term breast cancer survivorship experiences. Survivors expressed a need to advance their health care literacy in order to share ownership of breast cancer and lymphedema treatment decisions. Since breast cancer is an immune-mediated disease, long-term survivorship planning should address psychosocial factors that influence the long-term psychological distress associated with immune dysfunction