COMPRESSION GARMENTS in BREAST CANCER-RELATED LYMPHEDEMA

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. It is an important health problem that has been increasingly encountered in recent years. With the advances in treatment, the survival time after breast cancer is prolonged, and as a result, many women face certain diseases during this period. One of these diseases, breast cancer-related lymphedema, is characterized by abnormal accumulation of protein-rich fluid in the interstitial tissue, which can occur at any time after breast cancer surgery or radiotherapy and is a major cause of morbidity. The aims of the treatment of lymphedema are to reduce edema, prevent the increase of edema, prevent infections, protect skin integrity, range of motion and limb functions. Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) is recommended by the International Society of Lymphology (ISL) as the international contemporary standard treatment for BCRL(breast cancer related lymphedema) treatment. CDT is a treatment method that includes manual lymph drainage (MLD), multilayer bandaging (Multilayer, short-stretch compression bandaging), exercise, skin care and compression garment. Compression garments, which are the most important component of the second phase of CDT, reduce the interstitial pressure of the extremity with the pressure they apply, and reduce capillary filtration and lymph production. Regular use of compression garments is very important during the treatment process. It is recommended that compression garments be worn during all waking hours. The success of compression garments is closely related to the patient's compliance with the treatment. Patients with lymphedema may need to wear compression garments for life. Wearing compression garments may have some difficulties for patients and this may affect compliance and adherence to treatment. The aim of this study is to investigate the compliance to compression garments and related factors among patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema.