Prevention Of Complications And Treatment Of Breast Cancer Treatment

Breast cancer is the most common malignant disease occurring in women in Saudi society. After study and research, it found that two-thirds of the injuries in the Saudi society are diagnosed in advanced stages. The reasons for that are the lack of education for necessary of Self-examination and clinical examination annual, leading to the spread of the disease further. In addition to genetic changes, environmental pollution, bad lifestyle , Obesity ,Lack of exercise are also factors that helped in the spread of the disease. The delayed age of marriage and lack of breastfeeding are the risk factors for breast cancer(1,10,14).Early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer is important for successful treatment selection , and increase mortality rate of breast cancer.

We have all seen the pink ribbons. They have become a national, if not international symbol for breast cancer support and awareness. Breast cancer knows neither racial boundaries nor age restrictions. Females of all ages and ethnicities can develop breast cancer and it is the leading most common cancer among women. Calling attention to this often fatal disease is important by supporting its victims, families and friends of victims, as well as raising funds for breast cancer research. Though males are not immune from developing a breast cancer, for the purposes of this paper, this paper will be limited to information relating breast cancer in females.

Women who experience lymphedema after breast and lymph node removal often experience many physical and psychological struggles, that no one will quite understand unless you are the one living with the condition. More women are being diagnosed with breast cancer, or finding out they are carriers of the gene for breast cancer than ever before. Technology has allowed for earlier detection and better treatment options, with increasing survivor rates. As the survival numbers increase and more women are living with the aftermath of breast cancer treatment. Initial cancer treatment is not always life long, but the side effects to treatment can be. Women who experience lymphedema will likely experience a variety of emotional, physical, and psychological changes, some of theses changes are not able to be put in perspective until one researches it or experiences it for themselves.

First, all patients or their caregivers are expected to wash and roll the compression bandages after each use. Second, lymphedema patients are required to use a compression pump and compression garments after discharge from lymphedema clinic because lymphedema is a chronic condition and life-long management of the symptoms is imperative. The lymphedema self-management phase may incorporate the use of the assistive equipment, such as reaches (to apply the compression pump’s sleeves on the lower extremities) or compression stockings donning devices. In addition, many lymphedema patients are educated in self-bandaging, therapeutic exercises, and self-manual lymph drainage techniques and are expected to continue with these activities as a part of their daily

Failure to circulate lymph back to the circulatory system results in swelling of the tissues, or oedema. Examples of this can be the result of infection through tropical disease where the lymph vessels are destroyed or blocked, or mild, temporary cases such as pregnancy where the weight of a foetus can press against the lymph vessels and prevent the return of lymph to the subclavian ducts.

Evidence-based practice according to Stevens (2013) began when nursing recognized a gap between what we know and what we do regarding the care of patients. Grove, Gray, & Burns (2015) noted that the goal of evidence-based practice was to include the patient and family taking an active role in their health as well as nursing to provide the best possible quality care in a safe fashion with cost effectiveness. Evidence-based practice nursing was utilized in a study by Kratzke, Wilson, & Vilchis, (2013) that reached out to rural women regarding breast cancer prevention, information seeking behaviors and interest with the use of the internet, cell phone and text messaging.

Some of the most common signs and symptoms patients experience with the disease of Lymphedema is swelling and a feeling of “fullness” in their arms and legs. Patients at times have described the loss of flexibility due to the increase in pain. In addition, the inability to wear their clothes, rings, and wristwatches due to the feeling of them being too tight.

Lymphedema is a chronic condition that has a lifelong effect on cancer survivors’ quality of life. Many previous studies reported that increase of lymphedema was associated with decrease quality of life, particularly, physical functioning such as functioning in domestic environment in the long period of time [20, 21, 22]. A previous study by Kwan, Jackson, Weir, Dingee, McGregor, and Olivotto [23] showed that patients with lymphedema report an impaired quality of life, as compared to survivors without lymphedema. Additionally, lymphedema exacts tremendous physical, psychological, social, spiritual, and emotional cost on breast cancer survivors experiencing it [24, 25]. Although swelling or edema within the tissue is not in itself painful, the stretching of nerve fibers

Asma mentioned a metaphor used by her doctor to describe her sexual condition after treatment who said ‘your ovaries are expired like an old lady’. At this point of the interview Asma cried because she felt different and experienced symptoms not associated with her age group.

Treatment is extremely important because when the victims of lymphedema successfully manage their condition, there is a decreased risk of infection (Shier). When people first go to obtain treatment, they will go through two phases. The first phase is attending therapy four to five times per week. At the therapy center, there are manual techniques that are used to manage the symptoms. One remedy that is used is manual lymphatic drainage or massage therapy (Sandu). This is a procedure that aims to move the fluid to healthy regions of the body (Kelty; Stewart, et al.). The skin is gently stretched as the therapist smoothly rubs the connective tissue. This pushes stagnant fluid through the vessels and allows the fluid to be absorbed by the healthy regions of the body (Ferg and Newman; Stewart, et al.). Since each condition is unique, specific hand movements are used for the individual (Stewart, et al.). This treatment is not recommended for people with skin infections, active cancers, blood clots, or congestive heart failure (Mayo Clinic Staff). Another treatment option is correct exercise and diet. Extra weight on the body leaves more room for lymphatic fluid build-up (Lymphedema- Topic Overview). Also, moving the limb while doing light exercises is beneficial. It helps stimulate the extremity and allows vessels to open up to move fluid out of the affected area (Mayo

Lymphedema is a common condition that causes the extremities become swollen due to fluid buildup in soft tissues. Lymphedema progresses in four stages: the dormant stage, stage 1, stage 2, and stage 3. Both the dormant stage and stage one are reversible because they cause no damage to the surrounding soft tissue; however, stages 2 and 3 cause permanent damage. Symptoms of lymphedema include limb heaviness, pain, weakness, and elevated skin temperature.1 No cure exists for lymphedema, therefor constant management of symptoms is needed. Lymphedema often occurs following breast cancer treatments such as radiation therapy or mastectomy, which is referred to as secondary lymphedema. According to Iuchi et al,2 lymphedema treatment success depends on reducing the progression and extent of swelling and improving the affected patients quality of life. Researchers use objective measurements such as water displacement, circumferential measurement, perometry, and bioelectrical impedance to quantify the volume of an affected limb due to swelling. Subjective measures used to assess quality of life (QOL) present challenges in determining the effectiveness of a certain treatment modality. Researchers incorporate standardized questionnaires to try and assess a treatments success subjectively. Complete decongestive therapy (CDT), which includes compression bandaging,

Lymphedema, with the associated swelling and pain, is a significant problem in breast cancer survivors. As a result, nurses should understand this complex problem so that they can inform breast cancer patients of their lifelong risk of developing this complication [10]To reduce/prevent lymphedema, nurses should educate breast cancer survivors to follow self-care regimen for controlling symptoms and avoiding exacerbation, such as performing daily skin care; wearing gloves during activities to prevent skin breaks; preventing injury in the affected side; preventing muscle strain; and promoting lymph drainage (i.e. elevate the affected arm, engage in regular, light aerobic exercise daily, maintain optimal body weight and wear a well-fitted compression garment when traveling by air) [25].

Breast cancer is turning to be one of the top killer women in the world. This kind of cancerous tumor is attacking breast tissue of woman. A disease in which abnormal cells in the breast divide and multiply in an uncontrolled fashion. The cells can invade nearby tissue and can spread through the bloodstream and lymphatic system to others part of the body and start to kill the organ one by one. By giving a breast cancer treatment will decrease the number of population who has this illness. Because so many different women have contracted breast cancer, many forms of treatment have been developed to attend to their specific needs. New research and development in the area of breast cancer allow Americans several

Oedema is a build up of fluid in the body which causes the affected tissue to become swollen.

The article: Randomized Trial of Decongestive Lymphatic Therapy for the Treatment of Lymphedema in Women With Breast Cancer is a research article derived from the Journal of Clinical Oncology. The research for this article was to to evaluate the effectiveness of manual lymphatic drainage as part of a conservative decongestive treatment plan (manual lymphatic drainage, compression, skin care, and exercise) for the treatment of lymphedema secondary to breast cancer compared with a CDT without the use of manual lymphatic drainage.