Investigation of experiences of women who developed lymph edema related to breast cancer treatment and their expectations from nurses

Aim: It is to investigate experiences of women who developed lymph edema related to breast cancer treatment and their expectations from nurses.Method: Research is qualitative study. Sampling criteria method was used. The sample of research consists of 20 women with primer breast cancer diagnosed lymph edema related to breast cancer treatment. This study was carried out at their homes of women and in quite room. Data was collected with method of ?in depth interview? by using ?semi-structured interview form?. We interviewed with each women once. All interviews were recorded with audio recorder by getting permission of women. Data were assessed with ?descriptive analysis?.Results: Five main themes and sub-themes have been determined concerning the expectations had from nurses and the experiences of the women who had advanced lymph edema due to breast cancer treatment. These main themes; recognize of lymph edema, physical, emotional and social experiences and expectations from nurses.Conclusion and Suggestions: According to conclusions obtained from this research; the women who had advanced lymph edema have stated that they had some difficulties regarding their daily lives and had physical experiences such as lymph edema treatment, self care, houseworks, sleep, occupation, related to summer, had emotional experiences such as anxiety about future and seeing themselves as disabled, had social experiences such as body image, their husbands, children, family members, friends and social environment and hobbies. The women stated that they asked to the nurses that lymph edema to be prevented and be informed about the treatment and care and receive consultancy from the same nurse in the process of treatment. The same nurse is suggested that she prevents the lymph edema and gives consultancy about care and operation after lymph edema is advanced in the process of breast cancer treatment (surgical, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormonotherapy etc.). The nurses are also suggested to develop their certificate programs in order to increase their qualifications in this field.Keywords: Lymph edema, breast cancer, nursing, qualitative study