The Influence of Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema on Women's Return-to-work

Overview

Journal Womens Health (Lond)

Specialty Gynecology & Obstetrics

Date 2020 Apr 16

PMID 32293984

Citations 9

Authors

Yuanlu Sun

Cheryl L Shigaki

Jane M Armer

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Lymphedema is one of the major treatment complications following breast cancer surgery and radiation. As the majority of women who develop breast cancer are at the age of employment, occupational functioning and employment are issues of concern. This study is novel in exploring the ways that lymphedema affects their work experience.

Methods: A multiple-case study methodology drawn from Yin's definition was employed. A total of 13 female survivors who developed breast cancer-related lymphedema participated by completing a survey and a 60-min semi-structured interview.

Results: Four main themes emerged: (1) breast cancer-related lymphedema affects physical and emotional functioning associated with work; (2) ongoing treatment for breast cancer-related lymphedema creates challenges for work; (3) environmental factors affect the return-to-work experience; and (4) personal factors play a key role in adjusting to return-to-work.

Conclusion: Both breast cancer-related lymphedema and its treatment have direct and indirect effects on work, with environmental and personal factors also shaping the work-return experience. This study suggests that breast cancer survivors with lymphedema who wish to return to work face potential barriers, and that gaps remain in the availability of supports.

Citing Articles

The Effects of Daily-Living Risks on Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema.

Rosemary Fu M, Liu B, Qiu J, Sun Y, Axelrod D, Guth A Ann Surg Oncol. 2024; 31(12):8076-8085.

PMID: 39090498 PMC: 11466982. DOI: 10.1245/s10434-024-15946-x.

Initiating and Maintaining Complete Decongestive Therapy Self-Management of Lymphedema Among Breast Cancer Survivors: Descriptive Qualitative Study.

Sun Y, Rosemary Fu M, Jiang Y, Little A Integr Cancer Ther. 2024; 23:15347354241226625.

PMID: 38281117 PMC: 10823848. DOI: 10.1177/15347354241226625.

Supporting Return to Work after Breast Cancer: A Mixed Method Study.

Magnavita N, Di Prinzio R, Meraglia I, Vacca M, Arnesano G, Merella M Healthcare (Basel). 2023; 11(16).

PMID: 37628540 PMC: 10454012. DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11162343.

Treatment burden in individuals living with and beyond cancer: A systematic review of qualitative literature.

Adam R, Nair R, Duncan L, Yeoh E, Chan J, Vilenskaya V PLoS One. 2023; 18(5):e0286308.

PMID: 37228101 PMC: 10212163. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286308.

Breast Cancer Survivors' Experiences of Managers' Actions During the Return to Work Process: A Scoping Review of Qualitative Studies.

Viseux M, Johnson S, Roquelaure Y, Bourdon M J Occup Rehabil. 2023; 33(4):687-701.

PMID: 37010716 DOI: 10.1007/s10926-023-10101-x.

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