Catheter Care and Education in Breast Cancer Patients

Cancer patients require long-term care due to diverse and multimodal treatments such as systemic chemotherapy. Chemotherapy can last a considerable amount of time, and different catheter methods are used in patients with breast cancer, specifically for those with HER2 positivity. However, catheters should remain in place for an extended period, meaning that patients must learn to manage and live with them. Yet, various catheter-related complications such as infection, thrombus formation, and accidental catheter dislodgement can frequently be observed. Cancer patients report difficulties living with a catheter not only during treatment but also during simple daily activities such as taking a shower. The main reason for the complexity and difficulty of this process might be the lack of information on catheter care. Therefore, education of catheter care is of utmost importance to improve the quality of life of catheterized patients and to prevent complications. This chapter discusses catheterization methods used in breast cancer patients, complications, catheter care, and educational content.