Arm symptoms and QoL in Japanese breast cancer patients

Tsuchiya, Miyako, Horn, Sandra and Ingham, Roger (2008) Arm symptoms and QoL in Japanese breast cancer patients. Journal of Lymphoedema, 3 (2), 30-35.

Abstract

Background: Post-operative arm complications among breast cancer patients are relatively underestimated in clinical settings, but the symptoms may affect quality of life (QoL).

Aims: To assess the relationships between lymphoedema symptom-related variables and QoL among Japanese women with breast cancer who had undergone surgery.

Methods: A cross-sectional postal survey investigated the relationships between post-operative arm symptom-related variables (specific arm symptoms, physical discomfort, lymphoedema therapy, self-care and years since the onset of symptoms) and QoL. Self-reported questionnaires, including a standardised QoL measure (WHO QoL-BREF Japanese version), were administered to Japanese women with breast cancer. Of 300 respondents, 138 women who reported arm symptoms on the arm of the operated side were eligible for statistical analysis.

Results: Pain, arm weakness, poor range of motion and more severe physical discomfort affected physical well-being. Pain and more severe physical discomfort affected psychological well-being, whereas swelling did not affect any domains in the WHO QoL-BREF. Other variables did not affect any domains in this sample.

Conclusions: Symptoms other than swelling should not be underestimated in clinical settings.

Declaration of interest: None.

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