Return to work after breast cancer: The role of treatment‐related side effects and potential impact on quality of life

Abstract Background Breast cancer is a global public health issue. The side effects of the clinical treatment can decrease the quality of life of these women. Therefore, a healthy lifestyle is essential to minimize the physical and psychological side effects of treatment. Physical activity has several benefits for women with breast cancer, and Pilates solo and belly dancing can be an enjoyable type of physical activity for women with breast cancer undergoing clinical treatment. The purpose of this study is to provide a Pilates solo and a belly dance protocol (three times per week/16 weeks) for women undergoing breast cancer treatment and compare its effectiveness with that in the control group. Methods The participants will be allocated to either the intervention arm (Pilates solo or belly dance classes three times per week for 16 weeks) or a control group (receipt of a booklet on physical activity for patients with breast cancer and maintenance of habitual physical activity routine). The Pilates solo and belly dance classes will be divided into three stages: warmup and stretching, the main stage, and relaxation. Measurements of the study outcomes will take place at baseline; postintervention; and 6, 12, and 24 months after the end of the intervention (maintenance period). The data collection for both groups will occur with a paper questionnaire and tests covering general and clinical information. The primary outcome will be quality of life (EORT QLQ-C30 and EORT QLQ-BR23), and secondary outcomes will be physical aspects such as cardiorespiratory fitness (6-min walk test and cycle ergometer), lymphedema (sum of arm circumference), physical activity (IPAQ short version), disabilities of the arm (DASH), range of motion (goniometer test), muscular strength (dynamometer test) and flexibility (sit and reach test), and psychological aspects such as depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory), body image (Body Image After Breast Cancer Questionnaire), self-esteem (Rosenberg), fatigue (FACT-F), pain (VAS), sexual function (FSFI), and sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index). Discussion In view of the high prevalence of breast cancer among women, the implementation of a specific protocol of Pilates solo and belly dancing for patients with breast cancer is important, considering the necessity to improve their physical and psychological quality of life. Pilates solo and belly dancing are two types of physical activity that involve mental and physical concentration, music, upper limb movements, femininity, and social involvement. An intervention with these two physical activities could offer options of supportive care to women with breast cancer undergoing treatment, with the aim being to improve physical and psychological quality of life. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03194997. Registration date 12 August 2017. Universal Trial Number (World Health Organization), U1111-1195-1623.

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The impact of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on late radiation toxicity and quality of life in breast cancer patients

Breast Cancer Research and Treatment ◽

10.1007/s10549-021-06332-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Marilot C. T. Batenburg ◽

Wies Maarse ◽

Femke van der Leij ◽

Inge O. Baas ◽

Onno Boonstra ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Quality Of Life ◽

Side Effects ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Oxygen Therapy ◽

Radiation Toxicity ◽

Breast Pain ◽

Breast Cancer Patients

Abstract Purpose To evaluate symptoms of late radiation toxicity, side effects, and quality of life in breast cancer patients treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). Methods For this cohort study breast cancer patients treated with HBOT in 5 Dutch facilities were eligible for inclusion. Breast cancer patients with late radiation toxicity treated with ≥ 20 HBOT sessions from 2015 to 2019 were included. Breast and arm symptoms, pain, and quality of life were assessed by means of the EORTC QLQ-C30 and -BR23 before, immediately after, and 3 months after HBOT on a scale of 0–100. Determinants associated with persistent breast pain after HBOT were assessed. Results 1005/1280 patients were included for analysis. Pain scores decreased significantly from 43.4 before HBOT to 29.7 after 3 months (p < 0.001). Breast symptoms decreased significantly from 44.6 at baseline to 28.9 at 3 months follow-up (p < 0.001) and arm symptoms decreased significantly from 38.2 at baseline to 27.4 at 3 months follow-up (p < 0.001). All quality of life domains improved at the end of HBOT and after 3 months follow-up in comparison to baseline scores. Most prevalent side effects of HBOT were myopia (any grade, n = 576, 57.3%) and mild barotrauma (n = 179, 17.8%). Moderate/severe side effects were reported in 3.2% (n = 32) of the patients. Active smoking during HBOT and shorter time (i.e., median 17.5 vs. 22.0 months) since radiotherapy were associated with persistent breast pain after HBOT. Conclusion Breast cancer patients with late radiation toxicity reported reduced pain, breast and arm symptoms, and improved quality of life following treatment with HBOT.

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Role of Oxycodone Hydrochloride in Treating Radiotherapy-Related Pain

Pain Research and Management ◽

10.1155/2020/7565962 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Yinxia Wang ◽

Ligang Xing

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Side Effects ◽

Cancer Pain ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Pain Control ◽

Analgesic Drugs ◽

Oxycodone Hydrochloride ◽

Radiation Esophagitis

Radiotherapy is commonly used to treat cancer patients. Besides the curable effect, radiotherapy also could relieve the pain of cancer patients. However, cancer pain is gradually alleviated about two weeks after radiotherapy. In addition, cancer patients who receive radiotherapy may also suffer from pain flare or radiotherapy-induced side effects such as radiation esophagitis, enteritis, and mucositis. Pain control is reported to be inadequate during the whole course of radiotherapy (before, during, and after radiotherapy), and quality of life is seriously affected. Hence, radiotherapy is suggested to be combined with analgesic drugs in clinical guidelines. Previous studies have shown that radiotherapy combined with oxycodone hydrochloride can effectively alleviate cancer pain. In this review, we firstly presented the necessity of analgesia during the whole course of radiotherapy. We also sketched the role of oxycodone hydrochloride in radiotherapy of bone metastases and radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis. Finally, we concluded that oxycodone hydrochloride shows good efficacy and tolerance and could be used for pain management before, during, and after radiotherapy.

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Considerations on the Use of Aromatase Inhibitors in Postmenopausal Women With Breast Cancer

Estrogens and Memory ◽

10.1093/oso/9780190645908.003.0023 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 385-400

Author(s):

Jeffrey D. Blaustein

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Quality Of Life ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Adverse Effects ◽

Develop Breast Cancer ◽

Laboratory Animals ◽

Breast Cancers ◽

The Brain

About 1 of every 8 women will develop breast cancer during her lifetime, and approximately 250,000 new cancer cases are expected annually as of 2017. Of those breast cancers, approximately 60% to 75% will express estrogen receptors, suggesting that estrogens are likely to promote growth of those tumors. Because the use of inhibitors of the synthesis of estrogens is the adjuvant treatment of choice for many women, it is essential that we understand the potential adverse effects on quality of life of those treatments. This review addresses the role of estrogens locally synthesized in the brain in laboratory animals and women, the effects of estrogens on cognitive function, the effects of synthesis blockers on cognitive function, and the limitations in performing experiments that will give us strong confidence in the results and conclusions.

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