Breast Injuries in Female Collegiate Basketball, Soccer, Softball and Volleyball Athletes: Prevalence, Type and Impact on Sports Participation

Abstract

IntroductionIn 2015-2016, there were over 214,000 women competing in collegiate athletics in the United States and this number continues to rise (1). The exact sequelae of breast injury are unknown; however, a relationship between breast injury and fat necrosis, which can mimic breast carcinoma in manual exams and/or ultrasound and mammogram findings, has been documented outside of sports participation (2-6). Fat necrosis can occur following trauma to the breast, leading to persistent and sometimes painful masses in the breast (7). Breast injuries related to motor vehicle collisions and resultant blunt breast trauma with the seat belt (3)(4)(5)(8)(9)(10)(11) and breast blunt trauma as a result of a fall (11-12) have been reported; however, only one study has been found that explored female breast injury during competitive sports participation (13). For these reasons, it is important to investigate the prevalence, reporting, treatment and implications of female breast injuries in collegiate sports. The primary purpose of this study is to report the prevalence of self-reported breast injuries in female collegiate athletes. A secondary purpose is to explore the injury reporting, the severity and type of breast injury. The treatment of breast injuries including the impact of breast injury on sports participation in female collegiate athletes was also explored. S.). The National CollegiateAthletic Association (NCAA) collects injury data; however, breast-related injuries do not have a specific reporting category. The exact sequelae of breast injury are unknown; however, a relationship between breast injury and fat necrosis, which mimics breast carcinoma, is documented outside of sports participation. Breast injuries related to motor vehicle collisions, seatbelt trauma, and blunt trauma have been reported. For these reasons, it is important to investigate female breast injuries in collegiate sports. The objectives of this study are to report the prevalence of self-reported breast injuries in female collegiate athletes, explore injury types and treatments, and investigate breast injury reporting and impact on sports participation. Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional study of female collegiate athletes at four U.S. universities participating in basketball, soccer, softball, or volleyball. Main outcome measure was a questionnaire regarding breast injuries during sports participation.Results: Almost half of the 194 participants (47.9%) reported a breast injury during their collegiate career, less than 10% reported their injury to health personnel with 2.1% receiving treatment. Breast injuries reported by breast injuries reported by sport include softball (59.5%), basketball (48.8%), soccer (46.7%), and volleyball (34.6%). Conclusions:The long-term effects and sequelae of breast injuries reported by female collegiate athletes during sport play are unknown. Nearly 50% of participants had a breast injury during sports activities. Although 18.2% indicated that breast injury affected sports participation, only 9.6% of the ...

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“…A recent study found that almost half (47.9%), of female college athletes participating in basketball, soccer, volleyball and softball (n = 194) suffered a breast injury during their college career with less than 10% reporting their injury to health personnel with only 2.1% receiving treatment [1]. Breast injury in female athletes is under-reported and is lacking a much-needed level of awareness in sport.…”

“…Female athletes may be more at ease reporting and receiving care from an Athletic Trainer of the same gender [12]. Coaches and the professional medical team should work with female athletes to create an environment that invites an open dialogue about breast injuries and is committed to breaking the silence about these under-reported injuries [1].…”

“…Therefore, a likely gap exists for breast injuries to be missed. Given that 10% report their injuries [1], without reporting injuries, awareness of injuries and thus preventative measures for them will not be undertaken.…”

“…The potential long-term sequela of breast injury occurring during sport participation is not known [1]. Conversely, case studies and research done after falls, motor vehicle collisions (MVC), and surgery provide strong evidence of sequela of breast injury [4][5][6][7][8][9].…”

Physician at sport events: First aid or something more

“…Takođe je bitno obratiti pažnju i na razlike u povređivanju u odnosu na pol i starost (4), odnosno u odnosu na vrstu sporta, jer svaki sport ima svoje specifičnosti zbog većeg angažovanja određene grupe mišića i delova koštano-zglobnog sistema usled repetitivnog ponavljanja određenog pokreta (5)(6)(7)(8) …”