New York University

New York University

The Office of Public Affairs

Sunday, Oct 22, 2006

N-122, 2006-07

Grant Will Support Dr. Mei Fu’s Research on Lymphedema, an Adverse Complication from Breast Cancer Treatment

New York, N.Y.-The NYU College of Nursing was awarded a two-year grant of $95,000 to support studies of lymphedema, a debilitating complication from breast cancer treatment, by faculty member Mei R. Fu, PhD, RN, APRN-BC, BSN, MA, MS. The grant was presented following the October 7-8, 2006 Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, which raised a record-breaking $9.7 million to advance access to care and a cure for breast cancer.

Please follow this link http://www.nyu.edu/public.affairs/images/photos/uploads/ Avon1with-check.jpg for a print quality photo of Andrea Jung, the Chairman of Avon, and Dr. Mei Fu from NYUCD.

Approximately 40% of the two million breast cancer survivors in the United States have developed lymphedema, a chronic debilitating condition caused by lymphatic system injury. The symptoms from lymphedema can greatly impact breast cancer survivors’ quality of life, leading to physical, psychological, and social problems. Dr. Fu was the pioneer researcher who studied breast cancer survivors’ intention of managing lymphedema in their daily lives.

Breast cancer survivors who had removal of lymph nodes and radiation treatment are known to have altered lymphatic systems, which may lead to persistent swelling in the affected areas. Besides the definite risk from treatment, other contributing factors that may increase the risk for lymphedema have also been identified, such as weight gain, infection, injury or trauma, insect bites, over use of the affected limb, heavy lifting, prolonged exposure to heat or sun, and traveling by airplane. The American Cancer Society, National Cancer Institute, and National Lymphedema Network have each published risk reduction guidelines that encourage cancer survivors to practice risk reduction behaviors targeted at reducing the risk from such contributing factors.

“Unfortunately, we have no documented data-based evidence to support the recommended risk reduction behaviors. This has inhibited our progress in identifying and developing effective behavioral strategies to reduce survivors’ risk of lymphedema,” stated Dr. Fu. Her research will focus particularly on the effect of breast cancer survivors’ practice of the risk reduction behaviors on the incidence of lymphedema and lymphedema related symptoms.

Dr. Fu, an assistant professor at NYU College of Nursing, was inspired to study lymphedema while working as an oncology nurse and noting that many survivors suffered silently without understanding their symptoms or knowing where to seek help. Her Avon-funded research will provide reliable instruments to assess breast cancer survivors’ knowledge of lymphedema, practice of risk-reduction behaviors, and motivation. This study will also explore the relationship between the practice of these behaviors and lymphedema related symptoms.

Based on this study, Dr. Fu and her research team hope to find a more effective way to help breast cancer survivors apply knowledge and integrate risk-reduction behaviors into their daily lives to reduce the risk of this chronic condition and improve breast cancer survivors’ quality of life.