Prospective surveillance model in the home for breast cancer-related lymphoedema: a feasibility study

• Published in: Breast cancer research and treatment 2021-01, Vol.185 (2), p.401-412
• Main Authors: Koelmeyer, Louise A., Moloney, Emma, Boyages, John, Sherman, Kerry A., Dean, Catherine M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Analysis; Australia; Breast cancer; Breast Neoplasms - complications; Breast Neoplasms - epidemiology; Breast Neoplasms - surgery; Cancer; Cancer research; Care and treatment; Clinical Trial; Compression; Exercise; Feasibility Studies; Female; Humans; Invasiveness; Lymphedema; Lymphedema - diagnosis; Lymphedema - epidemiology; Lymphedema - etiology; Mastectomy; Medical treatment; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Oncology; Oncology, Experimental; Physical activity; Prospective Studies; Spectroscopy; Strategic planning (Business); Surveillance
• ISSN: 0167-6806; 1573-7217; 1573-7217
• DOI: 10.1007/s10549-020-05953-3

Purpose The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of delivering a prospective surveillance model in the home over 6 months for women at high risk of developing lymphoedema. Methods A single-group, intervention study recruited 20 women who had surgical and medical treatment for confirmed node-positive invasive breast cancer and therefore at high risk of developing arm lymphoedema. Participants received a package including Bioimpedance Spectroscopy (BIS) monitoring, lymphoedema education and support to promote self-management and physical activity. Results Participants adhered to BIS monitoring 74% of the time, and felt extremely confident in using the device. By 6 months, mean BIS L-Dex scores had increased from 3.5 (SD 5.6) to 8.4 (SD 11.1); five women (25%) who experienced >  + 6.5 increase in L-Dex score were fitted with a compression garment. Self-reported symptoms and distress decreased by 0.4 out of 10 (95% CI 0.1 to 0.7); number of self-management strategies used increased by 0.6 (95% CI 0.1 to 1.2); and planned exercise increased by 2.8 h/week (95% CI 0.4 to 5.2). Conclusions These findings indicate a prospective surveillance model of care in the home with BIS is feasible and associated with increased self-management. A Phase II randomised trial is warranted as well as research exploring the costs associated with implementing this model of care for high-risk individuals.