Self-reported side effects of breast cancer treatment: a cross-sectional study of incidence, associations, and the influence of exercise

Abstract

. 2013, 'Self-reported side effects of breast cancer treatment: a cross-sectional study of incidence, associations, and the influence of exercise ', Cancer Causes and Control, vol. 24,no. 3, Self-reported side effects of breast cancer treatment: a cross-sectional study of incidence, associations, and the influence of exercise AbstractPurpose Side effects as a result of breast cancer treatment may have a lasting detrimental impact on quality of life. Exercise has been shown to be an effective intervention in post-treatment care. This study aimed to gain a better understanding of breast cancer treatment-related side effects through identifying potential patient characteristic associations, including current levels of exercise.Methods Four hundred and thirty-two breast cancer patients completed an online survey covering their treatment and demographic background, current exercise levels, and self-reported treatment side effects. Side effects were considered in a binary logistic regression against age, surgery, currently undergoing treatment, and exercise levels to ascertain significant relationships (p < 0.05) and associative values (Odds Ratio).Results Lumpectomy patients were less likely to report aching muscles (OR 0.61, 95 % CI 0.39-0.96), hot flushes (OR 0.60, 95 % CI 0.38-0.96), and weight gain (OR 0.59, 95 % CI 0.38-0.92) than mastectomy patients. Women currently undergoing treatment were more likely to report hot flushes (OR 3.77, 95 % CI 2.34-6.08), aching muscles (OR 1.62, 95 % CI 1.02-2.57), and weight gain (OR 1.89, 95 % CI 1.19-2.99) than women finished treatment. Sedentary women were more likely to experience shoulder limitations (OR 1.77, 95 % CI 1.14-2.77), muscular chest wall pain (OR 1.69, 95 % CI 1.07-2.65), weight gain (OR 2.29, 95 % CI 1.44-3.64), lymphedema (OR 1.68, 95 % CI 1.04-2.71), and breathlessness (OR 2.30 95 % CI 1.35-3.92) than their physically active counterparts.Conclusions Patient characteristics may inform interventions to improve care post-breast cancer treatment. Sufficient levels of exercise were consistently associated fewer side effects and should be encouraged.

Tissue Composition Changes and Secondary Lymphedema

“…Indeed it has previously been shown that those who are sedentary are at higher risk of developing lymphedema. 27 The subgroup with moderate to severe lymphedema, as detected by both BIS and perometry, had the greatest inter-limb differences in fat and lean tissue. Adipose tissue is approximately 14% water 28 and in those with excess adipose tissue as seen in those who are obese, the water and extracellular fluid content of adipose tissue is even larger.…”

Tissue Composition Changes and Secondary Lymphedema

“…Indeed it has previously been shown that those who are sedentary are at higher risk of developing lymphedema. 27 The subgroup with moderate to severe lymphedema, as detected by both BIS and perometry, had the greatest inter-limb differences in fat and lean tissue. Adipose tissue is approximately 14% water 28 and in those with excess adipose tissue as seen in those who are obese, the water and extracellular fluid content of adipose tissue is even larger.…”

Comprehensive Review of Breast Cancer Consequences for the Patients and Their Coping Strategies: A Systematic Review

“…Similarly, women who continued their BC prescription had higher rates of weight gain, hot flashes, and muscle pain compared with women who completed all treatment. 88 These physical side effects might not end with the course of therapy; they might carry on long after the malignancy is treated and constantly remind the patient of their illnesses. Fatigue, sleep disturbances, and physical pain are common universal symptoms reported not only for BC but also for all cancer patients.…”

“…172 In another study, an evaluation of the exercise effect on the BC treatment side effects showed that compared to sufficiently active women, sedentary women reported higher rates of weight gain, shoulder limitations, breathlessness, and muscular chest wall pain. 88 In addition, sexual health programs and behavioral sexual therapies may diminish the fertility issue concerns, produce substantive improvements in sexuality, and improve the overall QOL of BC patients.

Figure 6.A Holistic approach was proposed for addressing and covering the multidimensional requirements of BC patients in the different stages of their treatment and follow-up care.

…”

Lymphedema Treatment Certified Physical Therapists' Awareness of and Practice Patterns for Side Effect Risk Reduction After Breast Cancer Treatments

“…Women with this SE need treatment as well. " According to the participants, the main reasons for resisting the use of pressure garments were a discomfort (7), unaesthetic (7), wish to keep privacy (6), functional disturbance (5), and too hot (5). Protocol to provide instruction-Most participants think that all women need instruction after BC surgery (10), while others believe that only women at high risk of developing SEs need (5).…”

“…Recommendations for reducing the risk of SEs-The most common risk reduction methods, recommended by the participants in this study, are compatible with the literature. They includea return to daily routine and PA [7,22], exercises to improve and maintain trunk and shoulder range of motion [13,15,12], and infection prevention [13]. Also, most participants recommended education about lymphedema, immediate consultation with a CLT when symptoms appear, and follow-up of arm measurement.…”

Tissue Composition Changes and Secondary Lymphedema

“…Indeed it has previously been shown that those who are sedentary are at higher risk of developing lymphedema. 27 The subgroup with moderate to severe lymphedema, as detected by both BIS and perometry, had the greatest inter-limb differences in fat and lean tissue. Adipose tissue is approximately 14% water 28 and in those with excess adipose tissue as seen in those who are obese, the water and extracellular fluid content of adipose tissue is even larger.…”

Comprehensive Review of Breast Cancer Consequences for the Patients and Their Coping Strategies: A Systematic Review

“…Similarly, women who continued their BC prescription had higher rates of weight gain, hot flashes, and muscle pain compared with women who completed all treatment. 88 These physical side effects might not end with the course of therapy; they might carry on long after the malignancy is treated and constantly remind the patient of their illnesses. Fatigue, sleep disturbances, and physical pain are common universal symptoms reported not only for BC but also for all cancer patients.…”

“…172 In another study, an evaluation of the exercise effect on the BC treatment side effects showed that compared to sufficiently active women, sedentary women reported higher rates of weight gain, shoulder limitations, breathlessness, and muscular chest wall pain. 88 In addition, sexual health programs and behavioral sexual therapies may diminish the fertility issue concerns, produce substantive improvements in sexuality, and improve the overall QOL of BC patients.

Figure 6.A Holistic approach was proposed for addressing and covering the multidimensional requirements of BC patients in the different stages of their treatment and follow-up care.

…”

Lymphedema Treatment Certified Physical Therapists' Awareness of and Practice Patterns for Side Effect Risk Reduction After Breast Cancer Treatments

“…Women with this SE need treatment as well. " According to the participants, the main reasons for resisting the use of pressure garments were a discomfort (7), unaesthetic (7), wish to keep privacy (6), functional disturbance (5), and too hot (5). Protocol to provide instruction-Most participants think that all women need instruction after BC surgery (10), while others believe that only women at high risk of developing SEs need (5).…”

“…Recommendations for reducing the risk of SEs-The most common risk reduction methods, recommended by the participants in this study, are compatible with the literature. They includea return to daily routine and PA [7,22], exercises to improve and maintain trunk and shoulder range of motion [13,15,12], and infection prevention [13]. Also, most participants recommended education about lymphedema, immediate consultation with a CLT when symptoms appear, and follow-up of arm measurement.…”

Tissue Composition Changes and Secondary Lymphedema

“…Indeed it has previously been shown that those who are sedentary are at higher risk of developing lymphedema. 27 The subgroup with moderate to severe lymphedema, as detected by both BIS and perometry, had the greatest inter-limb differences in fat and lean tissue. Adipose tissue is approximately 14% water 28 and in those with excess adipose tissue as seen in those who are obese, the water and extracellular fluid content of adipose tissue is even larger.…”

Comprehensive Review of Breast Cancer Consequences for the Patients and Their Coping Strategies: A Systematic Review

“…Similarly, women who continued their BC prescription had higher rates of weight gain, hot flashes, and muscle pain compared with women who completed all treatment. 88 These physical side effects might not end with the course of therapy; they might carry on long after the malignancy is treated and constantly remind the patient of their illnesses. Fatigue, sleep disturbances, and physical pain are common universal symptoms reported not only for BC but also for all cancer patients.…”

“…172 In another study, an evaluation of the exercise effect on the BC treatment side effects showed that compared to sufficiently active women, sedentary women reported higher rates of weight gain, shoulder limitations, breathlessness, and muscular chest wall pain. 88 In addition, sexual health programs and behavioral sexual therapies may diminish the fertility issue concerns, produce substantive improvements in sexuality, and improve the overall QOL of BC patients.

Figure 6.A Holistic approach was proposed for addressing and covering the multidimensional requirements of BC patients in the different stages of their treatment and follow-up care.

…”

Lymphedema Treatment Certified Physical Therapists' Awareness of and Practice Patterns for Side Effect Risk Reduction After Breast Cancer Treatments

“…Women with this SE need treatment as well. " According to the participants, the main reasons for resisting the use of pressure garments were a discomfort (7), unaesthetic (7), wish to keep privacy (6), functional disturbance (5), and too hot (5). Protocol to provide instruction-Most participants think that all women need instruction after BC surgery (10), while others believe that only women at high risk of developing SEs need (5).…”

“…Recommendations for reducing the risk of SEs-The most common risk reduction methods, recommended by the participants in this study, are compatible with the literature. They includea return to daily routine and PA [7,22], exercises to improve and maintain trunk and shoulder range of motion [13,15,12], and infection prevention [13]. Also, most participants recommended education about lymphedema, immediate consultation with a CLT when symptoms appear, and follow-up of arm measurement.…”