Breast Cancer Survivors' Intentions of Managing Lymphedema

Implications for Research and Practice

Descriptive phenomenological study enhances the understanding of the essential structures of experience.^[30] Findings of the study have implications for future research and practice. The construct of managing lymphedema by breast cancer survivors has not been defined; nor have its attributes been identified and studied. The 4 revelatory intentions can be considered an initial step for conceptualizing the construct. Further phenomenological research should be conducted with different groups of breast cancer survivors to explore the similarities and differences regarding the essential structures of the experience to assist scholars and clinicians in defining the construct, identifying, and studying its attributes.

The essential structures depicted through the description of the revelatory intentions revealed the women's intentions of how they structured their experience of managing lymphedema. The described intentions represented the women's intentional acts and provided a different perspective to the assessment of lymphedema management. For example, after further refinement of the essential structures of the experience, it could be useful to develop interview tools based on different levels of intentions to assess the presence or absence of such intentional acts. Healthcare professionals and researchers can use such tools as the base for the dialogue with breast cancer survivors about their experiences; data could be analyzed to identify who will be at risk for having difficulties in keeping in mind the consequences, preventing their lymphedema from getting worse, getting ready to live with lymphedema, and integrating care of lymphedema into their daily lives. In addition, healthcare professionals can develop certain programs to help the breast cancer survivors to develop or enhance their intentions to promote lymphedema management.

The print version of this journal was originally certified for CE credit. For accreditation details, contact the publisher, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc., at 16522 Hunters Green Parkway, Hagerstown, MD 21740-2116. Address your request to Kathleen Phelan, publisher or email her at: kphelan@lww.com .

The author thanks the breast cancer survivors who shared their valuable experience in the study. The author is very grateful to her dissertation advisor and committee members for their valuable guidance, advice, dedication, mentorship, assistance, challenge, and encouragement during the whole process of the study: Dr Jane Armer, Dr Eileen Porter, Dr Priscilla LeMone, Dr Roxanne McDaniel, Dr Davina Porock, and Dr Brent Mallinckrodt.

Cancer Nurs. 2005;28(6):446-457. © 2005 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Cite this: Breast Cancer Survivors' Intentions of Managing Lymphedema - Medscape - Nov 01, 2005.