Twenty-one percent of breast cancer survivors reported body image dissatisfaction, similar to the proportion of dissatisfaction in controls. CONCLUSIONS: In this cross-sectional analysis, body image in breast cancer survivors was associated with the types of surgery and radiotherapy and with mental distress, reduced health, and impaired QoL. Body image ratings were relatively stable over time, and the antecedent body image score was a strong predictor of body image at follow-up. Body image in breast cancer survivors differed very little from that in controls. Cancer 2010;116;3549-57.

BackgroundThe course of fatigue in long-term breast cancer survivors (BCSs) is unknown. The current study examined chronic fatigue (CF) cross-sectionally and longitudinally in relapse-free women up to 10 years after multimodal treatment for BC stage II/III. The prevalence of persistent fatigue (PF: having CF at two assessments separated by >2 years) and its predictors were also investigated.MethodsData from questionnaires (including the Fatigue Questionnaire and questions regarding socio-demographics and physical symptoms) were collected twice from 249 BCSs: 2.5–7 years post-BC diagnosis (T1) and 2.5–3 years thereafter (T2). A physical examination including blood sampling was performed at T1.ResultsCF was diagnosed in 33% of the women at T1 and in 39% at T2, including 57 (23%) subjects with PF. Current psychological distress, treatment-area related discomfort and high body mass index (BMI) were associated with CF at T1 and predicted PF. Increased leukocyte count also predicted PF. Treatment for mental problems prior to the BC, increased hsCRP-level and respiratory symptoms were associated with CF at T1 but did not predict PF.ConclusionsWomen may experience fatigue up to 10 years after multimodal BC treatment, with about one third having CF and about one fourth having PF.Implications for cancer survivorsDuring follow-up, BCSs and their doctors should maximize their efforts to reduce psychological distress, overweight and pain within the BC-treated area, all linked to the development of persistent fatigue.

BackgroundThis cross-sectional and longitudinal study of breast cancer survivors (BCSs) examines the associations between arm/shoulder problems (ASPs), which consist of pain, restricted mobility and lymphedema, and different aspects of quality of life (QoL).MethodsBCSs who had breast surgery, axillary lymph node dissection and radiotherapy (n = 255) were examined in 2004 (mean 4.1 years post-surgery) and a sub-sample (n = 187) was re-examined in 2007. ASPs was rated clinically in 2004 and by self-report (EORTC BR23) in 2004 and 2007. QoL was self-reported with The Short Form-36 (SF-36) and The Impact of Cancer scale (IOC).ResultsIn 2004 BCSs with ASPs showed significantly poorer mean scores in most SF-36 domains compared to those without. No group differences were observed for positive IOC domains, while BCSs with ASPs showed significantly poorer mean scores in the negative ones. BCSs with clinically defined movement restriction showed significantly poorer SF-36 and negative IOC mean scores than those with clinically defined lymphedema. The longitudinal sub-study of self-rated pain, restricted mobility and lymphedema showed significant changes over time only for negative IOC domains in the pain group. Self-rated restricted mobility and lymphedema were significantly associated with most SF-36 domains both in 2004 and 2007, while few were associated with pain. Self-rated pain and restricted mobility showed significant associations with negative IOC domains.Implications for cancer survivorsNot only lymphedema, but pain and restricted mobility in the arm/shoulder are significantly associated with poor QoL in BCSs at long-term. These problems should be diagnosed and treated in order to improve QoL.

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