The assessment of physical activity of breast cancer patients after radical treatment

Abstract

Background. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed neoplastic disease among women. Complications
of cancer treatment constitute a significant clinical and therapeutic problem and decrease the quality of life of the
patients. However, physical activity exerts beneficial effects on the patients’ mental and physical well-being and also
influences their health.

Material and methods. The aim of the study was an evaluation of physical activity of women following radical treatment for breast cancer. The study group consisted of 89 patients who were the members of Post-Mastectomy Women’s “Amazons” groups in the area of podlaskie district. The method of survey was a diagnostic poll by questionnaire. The age of the „Amazons” was approximately 40 years old and most were women from urban areas.

Results. The majority of the responders did not systematically perform physical exercises. This results from the influence of their treatment, any subsequent lymphoedema, pain, anxiety about the risk of the occurrence of the above complications, inadequate knowledge as to which physical activity is the most appropriate for them as well as psychological worry. The majority of the responders spend their leisure time watching TV, reading books, newspapers or listening to music and to the radio. Less than half of the “Amazons” underwent ambulatory rehabilitation. The majority of responders are willing to increase their physical activity. Active patients spend their time on riding a bike, swimming and nordic-walking, exercising with training equipment. Attending aerobic classes or yoga are less frequently chosen options.

Conclusions. It is vital to spread information among breast cancer survivors about the necessity and the importance of participation in rehabilitation procedures and the possibility of performing different types of physical exercises. An educational program should involve the media, because of the fact that most of the responders spend a lot of their free time watching TV and listening to the radio. However, the extent of surgery and the type of the treatment should be taken into consideration when deciding on the most appropriate type of physical activity to be recommended to the patients in order to avoid complications such as lymphoedema. It is crucial for a medical professional to determine the set of exercises and the schedule for each individual breast cancer patient. Moreover, age-matched subgroups of the “Amazons” would increase women’s motivation for regular physical activity and ensure maximum effect of the exercises. Rehabilitation centers providing professional services in the rural areas or convenient, direct transportation between cities and the rural areas are required to increase the access of post-mastectomy patients to professional staff.