Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Breast Cancer Patients Toward Lymphedema Complications: Cross-Sectional Study

This study aims to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of breast cancer patients with regard to lymphedema complications. This cross-sectional study was conducted by a self-administered questionnaire between August and October 2022 toward breast cancer patients in our Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine. A total of 529 breast cancer patients were enrolled, including 186 (35.16%) aged <  50 years old. Participants had moderate knowledge, attitudes, and practices with scores of 18.24 ± 3.145 (possible range: 0–30), 62.24 ± 10.260 (possible range: 17–85), and 63.27 ± 20.967 (possible range: 21–105), respectively. Multivariate logistic regression showed that hi gh school/technical secondary school (OR = 1.880, 95% CI = 1.107–3.194,P = 0.019) and being retired (OR = 0.482, 95% CI = 0.245–0.947,P = 0.034) were independently associated with good knowledge. Knowledge (OR = 1.321, 95% CI = 1.222–1.428,P <  0.001) was independently associated with a good attitude. Furthermore, knowledge (OR = 1.262, 95% CI = 1.151–1.384,P <  0.001) and attitude (OR = 1.122, 95% CI = 1.085–1.160,P <  0.001) were independently associated with good practice. Breast cancer patients have moderate knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding lymphedema complications. Effective education and self-management programs are needed to improve patients’ KAP toward lymphedema.
Source: Journal of Cancer Education - Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research