Knowledge of Primary Care Physicians About Breast-Cancer-Related Lymphedema: Turkish Perspective

Abstract

Breast-cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is a common complication of breast cancer treatment. Informing patients about BCRL can contribute to decrease their risk of developing the condition or prevent it from progressing further. In order to educate patients about BCRL effectively, clinical knowledge of clinicians must be adequate. In study, we aimed to reflect BCRL knowledge and attitude of Turkish primary care physicians (PCPs). This questionnaire-based study was conducted by face-to-face interview method. The participants included actively working PCPs from all parts of Turkey. The questionnaire elicited data on physicians' demographics, the BCRL knowledge, self-reported BCRL knowledge, referral patterns, and education. A total of 314 PCPs with a mean age of 36.9 % ± 8.1 years (mean ± standard deviation) were included in the study. Median BCRL knowledge score of all study group was 15 (11-18) [median (25-75 % range)]. PCPs who received education about BCRL during their medical faculty and/or residency periods had significantly higher knowledge scores (p = 0.005). Of PCPs, 94.9 % indicated to make a BCRL referral for a breast cancer patient. Among them, 55 % preferred to make a referral to a general surgeon, 28.2 % to an oncologist, and 16.8 % to a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist. Assessment of factors related with BCRL should be part of routine evaluation of patients with breast cancer in primary care. Education of PCPs about BCRL is warranted in order to improve the BCRL care.

A qualitative national focus group study of the experience of living with lymphoedema and accessing local multiprofessional lymphoedema clinics

“…, Civelek et al . ). For health professionals, the situation may be compounded by the absence of a universally recognized and accepted definition of lymphoedema, unified measurement criteria and inadequate research attention (Paskett et al .…”

Correlates of Lymphedema in Women with Breast Cancer: a Case Control Study in Shiraz, Southern Iran

“…Moreover, we should not have overlooked the role of well informed physicians that can empower BC patients by presenting or reinforcing risk reduction information to them (Fu MR., 2014). The role of education of people as well as primary care physician to prevent or at least improve the care for BCRL has been proved in another study (Mete Civelek et al,2015).Therefore, recently launched family physician program in Fars province of Iran should be considered as a golden opportunity to integrate preventive and supportive care of patients with BCRL in this program (Honarvar et al,2015). Expanding the lymphedema clinics that provide a more specialized diagnostic and therapeutic services for BCRL patients is also needed.…”

Effects of breast cancer related lymphedema on hand muscle strength, hand functions and sensory loss of hand

“…Daha önce Türkiye'de yapılmış bir çalışmada hastaların fiziksel tıp ve rehabilitasyon hekimlerinin ilgilendikleri hasta gruplarıyla ilgili bilgi düzeylerinin yetersiz olduğu bulunmuştur 45 . Yine Türkiye'den bildirilmiş bir başka çalışmada birinci basamakta çalışan hekimlerin MKİL ile ilgili bilgi düzeylerinin yetersiz olduğu ve birinci basamak hekimlerinin sadece %16,8'inin MKİL gelişen bir hastayı fiziksel tıp ve rehabilitasyon uzman hekimine refere ettikleri bulunmuştur 46 . Ülkemizde MKİL ile ilgili olarak bu hasta grubunda çalışan (onkolog, genel cerrah, aile hekimi) hekimlerin bilgi düzeylerini artırmaya yönelik çalışmalar yapılmalı ve meme kanseri tedavisi sonrası komplikasyonların önlenmesi ve tedavisinde multidisipliner yaklaşım geliştirilmelidir.…”