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Lymphedema: patient and provider education: current status and future trends
1Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women's Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
Background:
The majority of patients schedules for breast surgery or radiation therapy for breast carcinoma do not receive basic information about the risk of lymphedema or its treatment.
Methods:
A review of the literature documenting patient and provider education on the risk, prevention and treatment of lymphedema was undertaken.
Results:
Formal education about lymphedema is not a part of the training of most medical and allied health professionals. Thus, patients do not receive information about the risk, prevention, or treatment of lymphedema.
Conclusions:
Educational strategies for patients and providers need to be developed and implemented.