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Original Article
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Prevalence of breast cancer treatment sequelae over 6 years of follow-up†‡§
The Pulling Through Study¶
Article first published online: 6 APR 2012
DOI: 10.1002/cncr.27474
Copyright © 2012 American Cancer Society
Issue
Cancer
Supplement: A Prospective Surveillance Model for Rehabilitation for Women With Breast Cancer
Volume 118, Issue Supplement 8, pages 2217–2225, 15 April 2012
Additional Information
How to Cite
Schmitz, K. H., Speck, R. M., Rye, S. A., DiSipio, T. and Hayes, S. C. (2012), Prevalence of breast cancer treatment sequelae over 6 years of follow-up. Cancer, 118: 2217–2225. doi: 10.1002/cncr.27474
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The articles in this supplement were commissioned based on presentations and deliberations at a Roundtable Meeting on a Prospective Model of Care for Breast Cancer Rehabilitation, held February 24-25, 2011, at the American Cancer Society National Home Office, in Atlanta, Georgia.
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The opinions or views expressed in this supplement are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or recommendations of the editors or the American Cancer Society.
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Re-use of this article is permitted in accordance with the Terms and Conditions set out at http://wileyonlinelibrary.com/onlineopen#OnlineOpen_Terms
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A Prospective Surveillance Model for Rehabilitation for Women with Breast Cancer, Supplement to Cancer
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Publication History
- Issue published online: 6 APR 2012
- Article first published online: 6 APR 2012
- Manuscript Accepted: 7 NOV 2011
- Manuscript Received: 19 OCT 2011
- Manuscript Revised: 18 OCT 2011
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- breast neoplasms;
- side effects;
- survivors;
- surveillance;
- rehabilitation
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
There is a need to better describe and understand the prevalence of breast cancer treatment-related adverse effects amenable to physical therapy and rehabilitative exercise. Prior studies have been limited to single issues and lacked long-term follow-up. The Pulling Through Study provides data on prevalence of adverse effects in breast cancer survivors followed over 6 years.
METHODS:
A population-based sample of Australian women (n = 287) diagnosed with invasive, unilateral breast cancer was followed for a median of 6.6 years and prospectively assessed for treatment-related complications at 6, 12, and 18 months and 6 years after diagnosis. Assessments included postsurgical complications, skin or tissue reaction to radiation therapy, upper-body symptoms, lymphedema, 10% weight gain, fatigue, and upper-quadrant function. The proportion of women with positive indication for each complication and 1 or more complication was estimated using all available data at each time point. Women were only considered to have a specific complication if they reported the highest 2 levels of the Likert scale for self-reported issues.
RESULTS:
At 6 years after diagnosis, more than 60% of women experienced 1 or more side effects amenable to rehabilitative intervention. The proportion of women experiencing 3 or more side effects decreased throughout follow-up, whereas the proportion experiencing no side effects remained stable around 40% from 12 months to 6 years. Weight gain was the only complication to increase in prevalence over time.
CONCLUSIONS:
These data support the development of a multidisciplinary prospective surveillance approach for the purposes of managing and treating adverse effects in breast cancer survivors. Cancer 2012;118(8 suppl):. © 2012 American Cancer Society.