The relationship between morbidity after axillary surgery and long-term quality of life in breast cancer patients: The role of anxiety

Abstract

. The relationship between morbidity after axillary surgery and long-term quality of life in breast cancer patients: The role of anxiety. EJSO -European Journal of Surgical Oncology, WB Saunders, 2011, 37 (4) This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. Abstract AimsAlthough arm/shoulder morbidity after sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) and/or axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) has been studied before, information is lacking concerning self-imposed restrictions in activities and long-term consequences of both surgical procedures in relationship to quality of life (QoL) and anxiety. MethodsEighty-nine disease-free breast cancer survivors completed a set of questionnaires assessing arm/shoulder symptoms, limitations in daily life, anxiety and QoL. Also, the ipsi-and contra lateral arm circumference and the range of shoulder motion were measured. ResultsFifty-one women had SLNB, 25 had SLNB followed by ALND and 13 had ALND. Although ALND patients experienced more shoulder symptoms, limitations in daily life and imposed more restrictions on themselves than SLNB patients, no significant differences during physical examination were found. A decreased range of motion and a higher score on trait anxiety resulted in a lower QoL. Trait anxiety and perceived limitations in daily life predicted long-term quality of life. ConclusionsThere is a discrepancy between experienced and measured limitations in range of shoulder motion. Anxiety and self-imposed restrictions play an important role in predicting long-term QoL and should get the necessary attention when addressing shoulder symptoms in breast cancer patients.

Stick Together: A Nordic Walking Group Intervention for Breast Cancer Survivors

“…These physical side-effects of treatment have a negative impact on patients' mental health and Quality of Life (QoL). For instance, patients who experience restrictions in ROM report poorer social and psychological well-being compared with patients without restrictions in shoulder ROM (Aerts, de Vries, Van der Steeg, & Roukema, 2011). Furthermore, pain reduces patients' sleeping quality and overall QoL, whereas painrelated disability regarding self-care and sexuality is an important predictor of mental health (Hack et al, 1999;Tasmuth, von Smitten, & Kalso, 1996).…”

Biopsychosocial Predictors of Psychological Functioning Among African American Breast Cancer Survivors

“…First, most studies that investigated anxiety in breast cancer survivors imparted knowledge/findings that can be generalized to several specific racial/ethnic groups (Aerts, De Vries, Van der Steeg, & Roukema, 2011;Cheung, Lee, & Chan, 2013), but not to African American women breast cancer survivors, indicating the paucity of research on this particular area. Additionally, there was a substantial literature on the many facets of TNBC among African women, which is well needed; however, there is a strong need to expand and build on the biobehavioral factors (for TNBC) among African American survivors, which is currently absent from the literature.…”

The impact of breast cancer-related lymphedema on the ability to perform upper extremity activities of daily living

“…It is plausible to surmise from this data that a woman could have adequate upper quarter range of motion and strength, but may avoid activities because of fear, pain, or emotional distress. Fear of lymphedema is an important behavior to address, as other authors have reported this as inhibiting function as well [18,31,45,46].…”

“…Other treatment-related factors including fatigue, pain, loss of upper extremity range of motion and strength, anxiety, changes in weight, unemployment, and neuropathy have also been suggested to compromise function and QOL [8,[15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23].…”