Work

Women’s and practitioners’ views of early intensive decongestive lymphoedema treatment for breast cancer-related arm lymphoedema: a focus group study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: PURPOSE: To explore the experiences and opinions of women with breast cancer-related arm lymphoedema (BCRL), a common sequela of breast cancer treatment, and of lymphoedema practitioners regarding current lymphoedema treatment in the UK, priority outcomes and assessment methods, and acceptability of a future trial of lymphoedema treatment and use of intensive-decongestive lymphoedema treatment (DLT) for women presenting with BCRL. METHOD: Two focus groups were conducted with 13 women and three focus groups with 13 lymphoedema practitioners. Discussions were transcribed and analysed using framework analysis. RESULTS: Usual UK lymphoedema care was self-treatment with hosiery. Women and practitioners supported the notion of early intervention although practitioners reported lack of capacity to provide intensive-DLT. All groups considered arm volume an important outcome but were unsure what treatment outcomes could be expected. Participants supported the need for a trial to identify effective treatment for women with previously untreated BCRL but could not describe criteria for a good clinical outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Study findings demonstrate the need and desire of women and practitioners for robust research to determine the most effective treatment for women with early-BCRL, that is, within 12 months of BCRL onset, including intensive-DLT. However, UK lymphoedema services lack capacity to provide intensive-DLT, so the potential to conduct a future trial of effectiveness is likely to be limited. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Women with arm BCRL can expect to receive self-treatment with hosiery. There is a need to identify effective treatment for women with arm lymphoedema and criteria for a good clinical outcome.

Source: Journal of Cancer Survivorship

DOI: 10.1007/s11764-025-01897-z

Authors: Eunice Jeffs, Emma Ream, Yan-Shing Chang, Cath Taylor, Debra Bick

Institutions: King's College London, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, University of Surrey, University of Warwick

Language: English

Topic: Lymphatic System and Diseases

Subfield: Oncology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,790