THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ARM EXERCISES AND THE INCIDENCE OF LYMPHEDEMA IN POST-MASTECTOMY BREAST CANCER PATIENTS IN RSUPH ADAM MALIK MEDAN

Abstract

Breast cancer is a malignant neoplasm, an abnormal growth of breast tissue growing into the surrounding stromal tissue, grows infiltrative and destructive, and can metastasize. Every breast cancer patient experience various side effect due to various treatments. This is because the therapy that each patient gets varies and also cancer patients have different genetic backgrounds and different environments. Mastectomy in breast cancer patients can cause many patients to suffer from decreased joint mobility, lymphedema, and limitation in daily activities. These complaints can be controlled with arm exercises. Arm exercises are done to improve circulation and muscle strength and to prevent joint stiffness, preventing lymphedema from occurring. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of arm exercises on lymphedema prevention. The research design was a quasi-experimental study with a sample size of 64 respondents. The results of the study were p value = 0.001. It is hoped that this study can be used as an education for postmastectomy patients to improve lymph flow so that lymph flow obstruction does not occur.