ObjectivesThis study aimed to identify the cognitive factors associated with the professional healthcare advice (PHCA) seeking behavior in breast cancer‐related lymphedema (BCRL).MethodsFrom January 2018 to December 2018, patients with BCRL were prospectively enrolled for a cross‐sectional survey of lymphedema‐related perceived risks, lymphedema quality of life (LYMQoL), knowledge scale of lymphedema, and PHCA behavior at first clinical visit, 3 and 6 months postbaseline.ResultsA total of 180 patients including 100 (55.6%) patients underwent a vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT) and 80 (44.4%) patients received compressive decongestive therapy (CDT) were enrolled. At 6 months of follow‐up, mean episodes of cellulitis (from 2.2 to 0.2 times/year), mean circumferential difference (7.8 ± 3.9%), wearing compression garments (from 29% to 0 %) in the VLNT group were statistically reduced than those in the CDT group (p = .01, <.01, and <.01, respectively). The overall LYMQoL had statistical improvement in VLNT group (p < .01). The short symptom duration, greater education level, less episodes of cellulitis, and higher knowledge of lymphedema were associated with increased adherence to PHCA (p = .03, .03, .02, and .01, respectively).ConclusionBCRL patients who sought PHCA had great control of lymphedema and improve their quality of life.

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