The Effect of Arm Exercises on Arm Oedema After Breast Cancer Surgery

The Effect of Education, Lymphedema Risk Scoring, and Progressive Upper Extremity Exercises on Strengthening the Self-care Skills of Women Who Have Breast Cancer Surgery

In order to prevent lymphedema after breast surgery, patients are advised to know the risk factors for lymphedema and to avoid situations that may cause lymphedema, to perform active and passive arm exercises, to evaluate the affected area for lymphedema, to perform self-care and this should be under the self-management of the patients. Investigators think that this study will have a positive effect on the literature since there are no studies on risk scoring, the combined use of training and exercises to strengthen self-care skills in preventing the development of breast cancer-associated lymphedema. From this point of view, the study was planned as a randomized controlled experiment to examine the effects of preoperative lymphedema scoring and postoperative progressive upper extremity exercises on upper extremity function and self-care in women with breast cancer.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Female gender,
• Between 18-65 years old
• BMI ≤30 kg/m2
• Axillary lymph node dissection (removal of at least 2 lymph nodes),
• No history of cancer other than breast cancer,
• Does not have any chronic disease (such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) that prevents exercise
• No previous diagnosis of lymphedema,
• Not pregnant or breastfeeding during the study,
• Individuals who agree to participate in the study will be included in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Total (simple) mastectomy,
• History of bilateral lymph node dissection,
• Lymphedema (difference >2 cm with an intact extremity)
• Individuals who do not agree to participate in the study will not be included in the study.