Prevalence and impact of bladder and bowel disorders in women with breast cancer: A systematic review with meta‐analysis

Abstract

Background: One of the consequences of breast cancer treatments may be the onset of new, or aggravation of preexisting bladder and bowel disorders. However, the presence and impact of these disorders in women with breast cancer are poorly documented. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the prevalence, incidence and impact of bladder and bowel disorders in women undergoing breast cancer treatment. Methods: A systematic search of six databases was conducted. Pooled prevalence rates and impact of bladder and bowel disorders were calculated using random-effects models. Results: A total of 32 studies met the inclusion criteria, and 17 studies were included in the meta-analyses. The pooled estimate of women who experienced bladder disorders following sensitivity analysis, which removed one study reporting a result that deviated from the pooled estimate, was 38% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 32%-44%; I 2 = 98%; n = 4584). The impact of bladder and bowel disorders on women's daily lives was relatively low (bladder [scale: 0-4]: mean: 0.8; 95% CI: 0.4-1.1; I 2 = 99%; n = 4908; bowel [scale: 0-100]: mean 14.2; 95% CI: 9.4-19; I 2 = 95%; n = 1024). Conclusion: This is the first study to comprehensively document the magnitude of bladder and bowel disorders in the breast cancer population. This meta-analysis found that women with breast cancer had a higher prevalence of urinary incontinence (38%) compared to women without breast cancer (21%). Given the extent and impact of our findings, screening and management of bladder and bowel disorders may be indicated in women with breast cancer to improve their health-related quality of life.

The feasibility of pelvic floor training to treat urinary incontinence in women with breast cancer: a telehealth intervention trial

“…Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is the recommended first-line management of urinary incontinence (UI) [ 1 ]. Despite the high prevalence of UI (38%), specifically stress UI (37%), in women with breast cancer compared to women without breast cancer (21%) [ 2 ], PFMT to treat UI does not appear in breast cancer care pathways [ 3 ]. The potential link between breast cancer and UI is presumed to be a result of ovarian suppression secondary to the use of endocrine therapy [ 4 ].…”

Experiences of pelvic floor dysfunction and treatment in women with breast cancer: a qualitative study

“…Despite the growing incidence of breast cancer, mortality rates are decreasing due to advancements in breast cancer treatments [ 2 ]. Recent literature reported that women with breast cancer may experience pelvic floor (PF) dysfunction including urinary incontinence (UI), faecal incontinence (FI) and sexual dysfunction after receiving treatment for breast cancer [ 3 , 4 ]. The development of these symptoms in women with breast cancer may be related to oestrogen depletion due to ovarian suppression and failure after chemotherapy or endocrine therapy use [ 5 ].…”

“…Data from quantitative studies have shown that women with breast cancer may experience a higher impact of PF dysfunction than women without breast cancer [ 3 , 12 ]. Recent data also indicate that the impact of PF dysfunction increases as women move on from their breast cancer diagnosis and enter the survivorship phase of their recovery (i.e.…”

Nanomedicine-Based Delivery Strategies for Breast Cancer Treatment and Management

“…T, N, and M were used to determine the stage number, the size of the cancer tumor, and whether it has spread to surrounding tissue (T), lymph nodes (N), or progressed beyond the breast to other regions of the body (M). Apart from these, there are five stages of breast cancer, which are numbered as 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 [ 9 , 10 ] and arementioned in Table 1 .…”