Experiences of nutritional management in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema: a qualitative study guided by Fitch's supportive care framework
- 1Department of Nursing, Affiliated Rudong Hospital of Xinglin College, Nantong University, Nantong, China
- 2Department of Nursing, Nantong Tongzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nantong, China
- 3Department of General Surgery, Nantong Tongzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nantong, China
Abstract
PurposeTo explore patients' experiences, perceptions, self-management practices, and unmet supportive care needs regarding nutritional management in breast cancer-related lymphedema, and to inform future patient-centered interventions.MethodsGuided by Fitch's Supportive Care Framework, we developed a semi-structured interview guide and conducted in-depth interviews with 13 patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema recruited via purposive sampling between January and October 2025. Interview data were analyzed using a framework-guided hybrid inductive–deductive thematic analysis. This approach integrated theory-driven coding informed by Fitch's framework with data-driven theme development.ResultsThree core themes emerged, encompassing nine sub-themes: (a) inadequate understanding and misconceptions regarding nutrition management, comprising lack of lymphedema-specific nutritional knowledge, poor recognition of diet-disease associations, and low self-efficacy in nutritional management; (b) practical challenges in nutrition management, comprising lack of nutritional management skills, fluctuations in dietary adherence, ambiguity in attributing symptoms to dietary causes, and absence of a self-monitoring system; and (c) gaps in support systems and unmet needs, comprising insufficient family collaboration and support and lack of continuous professional guidance.ConclusionsPatients with breast cancer-related lymphedema described multifaceted difficulties in nutritional management across cognitive, behavioral, and support dimensions. These findings suggest that healthcare providers should recognize these real-world experiences when planning supportive care. Future interventions may consider combining cognitive support, skill-building, and systematic support; however, this qualitative study cannot determine whether such interventions affect lymphedema outcomes or self-management capabilities.
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BibTeX
@article{yu2026experiences,
title = {{Experiences of nutritional management in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema: a qualitative study guided by Fitch's supportive care framework}},
author = {Ming Yu and Chunfang Li and Yangyang Cao and Yizhou Gu and Xiaolan Zhou and Xu Zhang and Ronghui Geng and Dandan Gu},
journal = {Frontiers in Nutrition},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fnut.2026.1961839},
url = {https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2026.1961839},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Experiences of nutritional management in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema: a qualitative study guided by Fitch's supportive care framework
AU - Ming Yu
AU - Chunfang Li
AU - Yangyang Cao
AU - Yizhou Gu
AU - Xiaolan Zhou
AU - Xu Zhang
AU - Ronghui Geng
AU - Dandan Gu
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/23
JO - Frontiers in Nutrition
DO - 10.3389/fnut.2026.1961839
UR - https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2026.1961839
AB - PurposeTo explore patients' experiences, perceptions, self-management practices, and unmet supportive care needs regarding nutritional management in breast cancer-related lymphedema, and to inform future patient-centered interventions.MethodsGuided by Fitch's Supportive Care Framework, we developed a semi-structured interview guide and conducted in-depth interviews with 13 patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema recruited via purposive sampling between January and October 2025. Interview data were analyzed using a framework-guided hybrid inductive–deductive thematic analysis. This approach integrated theory-driven coding informed by Fitch's framework with data-driven theme development.ResultsThree core themes emerged, encompassing nine sub-themes: (a) inadequate understanding and misconceptions regarding nutrition management, comprising lack of lymphedema-specific nutritional knowledge, poor recognition of diet-disease associations, and low self-efficacy in nutritional management; (b) practical challenges in nutrition management, comprising lack of nutritional management skills, fluctuations in dietary adherence, ambiguity in attributing symptoms to dietary causes, and absence of a self-monitoring system; and (c) gaps in support systems and unmet needs, comprising insufficient family collaboration and support and lack of continuous professional guidance.ConclusionsPatients with breast cancer-related lymphedema described multifaceted difficulties in nutritional management across cognitive, behavioral, and support dimensions. These findings suggest that healthcare providers should recognize these real-world experiences when planning supportive care. Future interventions may consider combining cognitive support, skill-building, and systematic support; however, this qualitative study cannot determine whether such interventions affect lymphedema outcomes or self-management capabilities.
SN - 2296-861X
ER -