Knowledge of Primary Care Physicians About Breast-Cancer-Related Lymphedema: Turkish Perspective

Breast-cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is a common complication of breast cancer treatment. Informing patients about BCRL can contribute to decrease their risk of developing the condition or prevent it from progressing further. In order to educate patients about BCRL effectively, clinical knowledge of clinicians must be adequate. In study, we aimed to reflect BCRL knowledge and attitude of Turkish primary care physicians (PCPs). This questionnaire-based study was conducted by face-to-face interview method. The participants included actively working PCPs from all parts of Turkey. The questionnaire elicited data on physicians' demographics, the BCRL knowledge, self-reported BCRL knowledge, referral patterns, and education. A total of 314 PCPs with a mean age of 36.9 % ± 8.1 years (mean ± standard deviation) were included in the study. Median BCRL knowledge score of all study group was 15 (11-18) [median (25-75 % range)]. PCPs who received education about BCRL during their medical faculty and/or residency periods had significantly higher knowledge scores (p = 0.005). Of PCPs, 94.9 % indicated to make a BCRL referral for a breast cancer patient. Among them, 55 % preferred to make a referral to a general surgeon, 28.2 % to an oncologist, and 16.8 % to a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist. Assessment of factors related with BCRL should be part of routine evaluation of patients with breast cancer in primary care. Education of PCPs about BCRL is warranted in order to improve the BCRL care.