Functional balance and quality of life in breast cancer survivors

Aims: Breast cancer is an important health problem with the second mortality rate in cancer-related deaths in women. After mastectomy and radiotherapy, shoulder and upper extremity mobility may decrease, trunk and upper extremity muscles may weaken, and biomechanical and functional balance may be impaired in women who have survived breast cancer. In addition, increased limb volume due to breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) may impair static and dynamic balance. To date, studies investigating the effect of lymphedema on balance in BCRL are limited. We aimed to examine the impact of lymphedema on balance and quality of life in breast cancer survivors. Methods: In this prospective study, age, education, marital status, body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2), affected lymphedema limb (right-left), and extremity volume difference were evaluated. Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale (FAB-Scale) was applied to the patients to measure their level of balance. The Lymphedema Quality of Life Questionnaire (LYMQOL-Arm) was applied. Results: The mean age of the 40 patients included in the study was 59.02±7.50 years. The proportion of patients with a Fab-scale ≤25 who were at risk of falls was 55%. There was no statistical difference between patients with Fab-scale ≤25 and patients with Fab-scale 250.05). Conclusion: In our study, balance deteriorated and the risk of falls increased especially in elderly patients. Every woman with BCRL should be informed about balance and gait impairment and encouraged to receive lymphoedema treatment as soon as possible. We think that future studies examining functional stability, quality of life, and fall risk in the treatment of lymphedema and the development of special interventions related to balance will contribute to the oncological rehabilitation protocol.