Reports of Women who Underwent the Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy as for Guidance Received for Preventing Lymphedema: a Qualitative Study

Abstract

This study, a product of the reflections from a master dissertation by one of the authors, aims to show the comprehension of knowledge and practices in the assistance of the ipsilateral limb in women who have undergone sentinel node biopsy. It also demonstrates that physiotherapeutic assistance on breast cancer surgery postoperative period goes beyond physical aspects, comprehending educational issues as well. This comprehension minimizes limitations and changes on their daily activities through practices of individualized guidance and in accordance with their own characteristics. For this purpose, ten interviews were used and they focused the self-care practices with the arm of the same side of the surgery to prevent lymph edema in women who had breast cancer and underwent the technique of the lymph node sentinel biopsy. This particular group of patients was chosen to observe whether alterations in their daily activities were related to the technique. At the end of the paper the importance of a manual containing guidance on the sentinel lymph node biopsy was highlighted. This manual should be designed and used in a multidisciplinary way, stating the most relevant information on each area of professional performance, especially concerning the practices of self-care pertinent to preventing lymph edema.