Effectiveness of discharge teaching regarding post-mastectomy care on self-care practice and arm lymphedema among patients with breast cancer.

Background: Breast Cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women worldwide. Simple mastectomy and modified radical mastectomy are the preferred surgery to treat breast cancer. Patients undergone mastectomy experience arm lymphedema symptoms which affects their physiological as well as psychological well-being. The main objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of discharge teaching regarding post mastectomy care on self-care practice and arm lymphedema among patients with breast cancer undergone mastectomy. Methods: Quantitative research approach with quasi-experimental time series design was used in this study. Fifty-two patients with breast cancer were selected by consecutive sampling technique. Baseline data on self care practice and arm lymphedema symptoms were collected on 1st post operative day. Day-wise intervention on post mastectomy care was taught and practiced by patients from 1st to 7th post operative days regarding wound care, precautions related to operated arm, dietary measures and post mastectomy exercise. On the 7th post operative day i.e., on the day of discharge from hospital post-test one was done and data on self-care practice, arm lymphedema symptoms and arm circumference measurement were collected. Patients were provided with booklet on post mastectomy care. On the 15th post operative day i.e., on the day of first follow-up post test two was done. Result: The result revealed that at pre-test patient had below average self care practice score and also experienced various arm lymphedema symptoms such as arm heaviness, arm tightness, pain, edema and limited upper arm movement. Post intervention on 15th post-operative day participant’s self-care practice score and arm movement was improved and arm lymphedema symptoms were reduced. Conclusion: Discharge teaching regarding post mastectomy care was effective in improving self-care practice and reducing arm lymphedema in patients with breast cancer underwent mastectomy.