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Impact of breast cancer–related lymphedema on working women
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Impact of breast cancer–related lymphedema on working women
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Journal Article
Impact of breast cancer–related lymphedema on working women
2020
Overview
Background
The professional impact of upper limb lymphedema, which affects 15–20% of women after breast cancer treatment, has been poorly evaluated.
Objective
To analyze lymphedema characteristics and global lymphedema- and/or sleeve-attributed impact (mildly inconvenient to severely debilitating) on professional activities, workplace relationships, and workstation ergonomics.
Methods
Patients received a standardized, anonymous, self-administered questionnaire at consultation/hospitalization for treatment in a specialized lymphedema management center.
Results
All 134 consecutive women (March/2015–March/2017; median age 54), with 53-month median lymphedema duration and 34% median excess volume, were included; 35% considered global impact (arm-use impairment) high. For high vs. low global impact during occupational activities, univariate analyses identified global impairment as being associated with the low (23.8%), intermediate (60%), or high (63.2%) (
p
< 0.01) arm-use level, while multivariate analyses retained intermediate (OR 6.9 [95% CI 1.1–118.1],
p
< 0.01) and high (OR 4.5 [95% CI 1.5–37.3],
p
< 0.05) vs. low arm-use level. Lymphedema affected the careers of 70 (52.2%) patients, mostly those with severely impaired arm movement (53.8% vs. 10.2,
p
< 0.001), without modifying their relationships with colleagues and superiors for 84 (62.7%). Highly impaired women reported changed relationships with colleagues (45% vs. 20%,
p
< 0.01) and superiors (43.6% vs. 16.9%,
p
< 0.01). Only 10 women’s (7.5%) job changes reflected lymphedema or its treatment. Workplace adaptations (53% ergonomic) were made for 36 (26.9%) patients, mostly those with greater arm-movement impairment (43.6% vs. 25.3%,
p
< 0.05), who were highly satisfied (86%).
Conclusion
Upper limb lymphedema can significantly impact work, sometimes upending careers. The rare workstation adaptations were beneficial. Occupational physicians should assess lymphedema-attributed difficulties to improve working conditions.
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg,Springer,Springer Nature B.V
Subject
Adaptation, Physiological - physiology
/ Adult
/ Aged
/ Arm
/ Arms
/ Breast Cancer Lymphedema - epidemiology
/ Breast Cancer Lymphedema - psychology
/ Breast Cancer Lymphedema - therapy
/ Breast Neoplasms - complications
/ Breast Neoplasms - epidemiology
/ Breast Neoplasms - pathology
/ Cancer
/ Careers
/ Female
/ Humans
/ Limbs
/ Medicine
/ Nursing
/ Oncology
/ Patients
/ Practitioner patient relationship
/ Range of Motion, Articular - physiology
/ Women
/ Women, Working - statistics & numerical data
/ Work - statistics & numerical data
