摘要：Introduction: Breast cancer is the most prevalentfemale malignancy in Poland. Oncologicaltreatment and its adverse effects diminish quality oflife of breast cancer patients, which is determinedby a number of somatic, psychological and socialfactors.Purpose: To assess the quality of life and the levelof knowledge and utilization of lymphedemaprevention principles among women after surgicaltreatment of breast cancer.Materials and methods: The study included 145breast cancer patients after radical mastectomy. Therespondents were examined with the validatedEORTC QLQ-BR23 questionnaire and a customdesignedsurvey.Results: Examination with the QLQ-BR23questionnaire revealed that mastectomized womenscored low on the body image scale. The mostfrequently reported ailments were arm and breastsymptoms. While the respondents showed highlevel of knowledge with regards to lymphedemaprevention, they poorly adhered to the prophylacticguidelines. The participants were well aware of therisk factors of lymphedema, and most of themdeclared avoidance of their harmful effects.Conclusions: Quality of life assessment shouldconstitute an integral component of rehabilitation inevery breast cancer patient, as mastectomy exertssignificant effect on the outcome of perioperativeperiod. Apart from specialist physiotherapy, alsoeducation of patients with regards to principles oflymphedema prevention and autotherapy constitutesan important component of complex managementof lymphatic insufficiency.
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