Influence of Physical Activity on the Quality of of Breast Cancer Patients
Journal Title: Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research (BJSTR) - Year 2017, Vol 10, Issue 3
Abstract
Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common neoplasm among women. As a consequence of the increased number of cancer diagnoses, and concomitant mortality reductions for most types of cancer many patients live with physical and psychosocial problems associated with the disease and its treatment that may compromise their quality of life (QoL). Exercise has been recommended as part of standard care for patients with cancer to help prevent and manage physical and psychosocial problems and improve QoL. The objective of the current study was to compare the impact of physical activity practice in women with breast cancer, through indicators of quality of life. Methodology: This is a randomized study with breast cancer patients in a large general hospital in southeastern Brazil. The questionnaires were applied regarding function and quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C30 and BR-23). Patients were randomly allocated into two groups: control, without intervention and treatment group, with the practice of physical exercises and nutritional orientation. Physical activity was performed for 3 hours/ week through active-assisted exercises of flexion, abduction, extension, and rotation of upper limbs and treadmill walking at speed tolerated by the patient. After six months of participation, all patients were reassessed, with blindness of the investigator. Results: The study did not reveal statistical difference in the constructs cited (p> 0.05) between the control group and the treatment group regarding "Global Health Status” " Functional Scale” and " Scale of Symptoms ", however the patients in physical activity presented better mood and confidence being more adapted to face the challenge of the disease. Discussion: The practice of physical activity showed no benefit in improving quality of life and functional capacity in patients with breast cancer in the evaluation by questionnaires in a short period established, however, showed favorable trends for improvement in successive evaluations. Introduction Worldwide, there will be about 2.1 million newly diagnosed female breast cancer cases in 2018, accounting for almost 1 in 4 cancer cases among women. The disease is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in the vast majority of the countries [1]. Longterm survival rates after a diagnosis of breast cancer are steadily rising. This is good news, but clinicians must also recognize that this brings new challenges. Survivors of breast cancer represent a unique group who must be cognizant of the long-term side effects of their treatment protocols and be given information to encourage a proactive approach to their overall health [2]. The treatment can lead to changes in a woman's self-image and functional loss as well as psychological, emotional and social alterations. Such alterations in women that have undergone treatment for carcinoma of the breast can be quantified on a quality of life scale. Quality of life assessment is considered to be an important patient reported outcome reflecting treatment, effectiveness, success. The patient experiences represent one of the most important therapeutic goals and a primary end point in many modern clinical studies [3]. It is believed that determination, fortitude, and optimism can override the biologic effects of a malignant disease and can improve survival [4,5]. Some valid studies by responsible investigators clearly show an enhanced survival among subsets of patients with breast cancer who attended a weekly group support program in contrast with persons with similar prognoses who acted as the control group. Although, few consistent studies definitely verify that a positive attitude will affect the overall course of malignant disease, quality of life can be meaningfully enhanced when patients are appropriately optimistic and realistic about their illness [6]. Breast cancer has been recognized as a chronic disease. This reflects efforts about the early diagnosis and improvement of the proposed treatments. Breast cancer survivors represent a unique and extremely complex group of patients, who experience the side effects of the proposed treatment protocols, which are aggravated by pre-existing comorbidities at the onset of breast cancer treatment [2]. The survival rate of women with breast cancer has increased in the last two decades due to improved early diagnosis and increased possibilities for more effective treatment. This treatment success, however, increases the risk of cardiovascular disease that depends on the therapies, the stage of the disease and the time of diagnosis [2].
Authors and Affiliations
Ana Silvia Diniz Makluf, Alexandre de Almeida Barra, Elyonara Mello de Figueiredo, Giselda Ribeiro da Silva, Raíssa Fernada Rodrigues Ribeiro, Cristovao Pinheiro Barros, Juliana Silva Barra
Keywords
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- EP ID EP587323
- DOI 10.26717/BJSTR.2018.10.001948
- Views 144
- Downloads 0
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