PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN WOMEN WITH BREAST CANCER – A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

ABSTRACT Introduction: Breast cancer treatment can cause different side effects on the quality of life of women. Physical activity, in turn, can reduce these side effects. Objective: To investigate the physical activity and quality of life of women during and after breast cancer treatment. Methods: Sample of 174 women (57.0±9.5 years) during or after clinical treatment for breast cancer. Interview questionnaire composed of general information, physical activity (IPAQ short version) and quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C30 and BR23). For statistical analysis chi-squared test or Fisher's exact test, student's t-test for independent samples, Mann-Whitney U test and multiple logistic regression analyses (p <0.05). Results: Most women did not achieve the physical activity guidelines, particularly those undergoing clinical treatment. Results showed longer walking time, moderate physical activity, vigorous physical activity, moderate + vigorous physical activity, and total physical activity among the women following completion of treatment. The quality of life scores were also higher among women after clinical treatment. Logistic regression indicated that every 10-minute increment to walking time results in a 19% decrease in the probability of worse functional capacity and a 26% decrease in the probability of worse symptoms associated with treatment side effects. Conclusion: During treatment, women with breast cancer undertake less physical activity and have worse quality of life. Walking appears to be an effective type of physical activity for these women, improving quality of life during and after breast cancer treatment. Level of evidence II; Prognostic studies - Investigation of the effect of patient characteristics on the disease outcome.

Download Full-text

Effects of Lymphedema Severity on Quality of Life, Upper Limb Function, and Physical Activity Level in Patients with Breast Cancer Treatment-related Lymphedema

Anadolu Kliniği Tıp Bilimleri Dergisi ◽

10.21673/anadoluklin.554019 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 24 (3) ◽

pp. 189-198

Author(s):

Ceren ORHAN ◽

Serap ÖZGÜL ◽

Gülbala NAKİP ◽

Emine BARAN ◽

Esra ÜZELPASACI ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Quality Of Life ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Cancer Treatment ◽

Upper Limb ◽

Physical Activity Level ◽

Breast Cancer Treatment ◽

Activity Level ◽

Upper Limb Function

Download Full-text

The impact of lymphedema on health-related quality of life up to 10 years after breast cancer treatment

npj Breast Cancer ◽

10.1038/s41523-021-00276-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Mads G. Jørgensen ◽

Navid M. Toyserkani ◽

Frederik G. Hansen ◽

Anette Bygum ◽

Jens A. Sørensen

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Quality Of Life ◽

Cancer Treatment ◽

Breast Cancer Treatment ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related ◽

The Impact

AbstractThe impact of breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) on long-term quality of life is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of BCRL on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) up to 10 years after breast cancer treatment. This regional population-based study enrolled patients treated for breast cancer with axillary lymph node dissection between January 1st 2007 and December 31th 2017. Follow up and assessments of the included patients were conducted between January 2019 and May 2020. The study outcome was HRQoL, evaluated with the Lymphedema Functioning, Disability and Health Questionnaire, the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire and the Short Form (36) Health Survey Questionnaire. Multivariate linear logistic regression models adjusted for confounders provided mean score differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals in each HRQoL scale and item. This study enrolled 244 patients with BCRL and 823 patients without BCRL. Patients with BCRL had significantly poorer HRQoL than patients without BCRL in 16 out of 18 HRQoL subscales, for example, in physical function (MDs 27, 95%CI: 24; 30), mental health (MDs 24, 95%CI: 21; 27) and social role functioning (MDs 20, 95%CI: 17; 23). Age, BMI, BCRL severity, hand and dominant arm affection had only minor impact on HRQoL (MDs < 5), suggesting a high degree of inter-individual variation in coping with lymphedema. This study showed that BCRL is associated with long-term impairments in HRQoL, especially affecting the physical and psychosocial domains. Surprisingly, BCRL diagnosis rather than clinical severity drove the largest impairments in HRQoL.

Download Full-text

Improving the quality of life of patients with breast cancer-related lymphoedema by lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA): study protocol of a multicentre randomised controlled trial

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-035337 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. e035337 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Joost Wolfs ◽

Jop Beugels ◽

Merel Kimman ◽

Andrzej A Piatkowski de Grzymala ◽

Esther Heuts ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Quality Of Life ◽

Lymph Node ◽

Randomised Controlled Trial ◽

Conservative Treatment ◽

Cancer Treatment ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Breast Cancer Treatment ◽

Randomised Controlled

IntroductionEarly breast cancer detection and advancements in treatment options have resulted in an increase of breast cancer survivors. An increasing number of women are living with the long-term effects of breast cancer treatment, making the quality of survivorship an increasingly important goal. Breast cancer-related lymphoedema (BCRL) is one of the most underestimated complications of breast cancer treatment with a reported incidence of 20%. A microsurgical technique called lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA) might be a promising treatment modality for patients with BCRL. The main objective is to assess whether LVA is more effective than the current standard therapy (conservative treatment) in terms of improvement in quality of life and weather it is cost-effective.Methods and analysisA multicentre, randomised controlled trial, carried out in two academic and two community hospitals in the Netherlands. The study population includes 120 women over the age of 18 who have undergone treatment for breast cancer including axillary treatment (sentinel lymph node biopsy or axillary lymph node dissection) and/or axillary radiotherapy, presenting with an early stage lymphoedema of the arm, viable lymphatic vessels and received at least 3 months conservative treatment. Sixty participants will undergo the LVA operation and the other sixty will continue their regular conservative treatment, both with a follow-up of 24 months. The primary outcome is the health-related quality of life. Secondary outcomes are societal costs, quality adjusted life years, cost-effectiveness ratio, discontinuation rate of conservative treatment and excess limb volume.Ethics and disseminationThe study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Maastricht University Medical Center (METC) on 19 December 2018 (NL67059.068.18). The results of this study will be disseminated in presentations at academic conferences, publications in peer-reviewed journals and other news media.Trial registration numberNCT02790021; Pre-results.

Download Full-text

Pilates and dance to patients with breast cancer undergoing treatment: study protocol for a randomized clinical trial – MoveMama study

Trials ◽

10.1186/s13063-019-3874-6 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Leonessa Boing ◽

Tatiana do Bem Fretta ◽

Melissa de Carvalho Souza Vieira ◽

Gustavo Soares Pereira ◽

Jéssica Moratelli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Quality Of Life ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Body Image ◽

Side Effects ◽

Sleep Quality ◽

Control Group ◽

Belly Dance ◽

Belly Dancing

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.

Download Full-text