Prevention of Lymphedema Among Breast Cancer Patients Through Implementation of an Integrative Therapy Program (ITP)

Introduction: Breast cancer women who are treated with axillary node dissection are at increased risk for lymphedema - the lifetime risk in these women is estimated at 15-50% and the risk can significantly increase with chemotherapy and radiation therapy Objectives: 1. To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of implementing the integrative therapy program (ITP) intervention. ITP consists of self-management education in conjunction with acupuncture. 2. To determine if ITP affects quality of life, self-efficacy, lymphedema knowledge, pain, and early detection and management of lymphedema. Design: the exploratory study aims to evaluate the feasibility and benefits of the integrative therapy program (ITP) intervention post-operatively for 18 months. Subjects: Women with breast cancer treated with axillary node dissection with normal baseline pre-operative bioimpedance (L-dex U400) score. Sample size: 30 subjects