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Decline in physical functioning in first 2 years after breast cancer diagnosis predicts 10-year survival in older women

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Abstract

Purpose

Breast cancer patients often experience a decline in physical functioning following cancer diagnosis. Although most patients recover after treatment, some patients do not. These changes may be magnified in older women with comorbid conditions and could impact survival outcomes.

Methods

We used longitudinal data from a prospective cohort study of women 65+ years of age, recruited shortly after diagnosis of early stage breast cancer, to examine changes in self-reported physical functioning measured with the Physical Function Index (PF-10) of the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36. Outcomes were constructed for small (0.2 SD), medium (0.5 SD), and large (0.8 SD) declines in the PF-10 measurement over two intervals: (1) 3 to 15 months following cancer diagnosis, encompassing treatment and early recovery, and (2) 3 to 27 months following cancer diagnosis, in order to detect sustained recovery versus persistent decline. Cox-proportional hazards regression was used to examine association between survival and decline in PF-10 scores.

Results

A large (>0.8 SD) decline in PF-10 scores from 3 to 27 months predicted shorter 10-year survival (hazard ratio = 1.34, 95 % confidence interval 1.1–1.6). Persistent decline at 27 months was associated with less education, higher baseline PF-10, increased comorbidity, and higher body mass index.

Conclusions

Older women with breast cancer who experience a large and persistent decline in PF-10 are at increased mortality risk. Future research should examine the value of clinical assessment of physical function as a marker for mortality and test interventions to prevent decline in physical function to improve post-treatment survival outcomes.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

Many breast cancer survivors experience a decline in physical functioning in the year following their cancer diagnosis. While the majority of patients recover in the year after treatment is completed, individuals who experience a persistent decline in physical functioning without recovery are at risk of functional decline and early mortality. Our results highlight the importance of assessing functional status to identify those at risk for functional decline, and suggest a potential role for early intervention in these individuals.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Dr. Tom Belin for valuable input on our analysis. This research was supported by a career development award from The ASCO Cancer Foundation and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, as well as by grants from the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Susan G. Komen for the Cure to Dr. Ganz. The original project was supported by grants CA106979, CA70818, and CA84506, and CA92395 supported Dr. Silliman's work on this analysis, all from the National Cancer Institute.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Hematology–Oncology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Mary Sehl & Patricia A. Ganz

  2. Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Xiang Lu

  3. Section of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA

    Rebecca Silliman

  4. Department of Health Services, School of Public Health, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Patricia A. Ganz

  5. Division of Hematology–Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Box 956996, Suite 550 UCLA Medical Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-7059, USA

    Mary Sehl

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  1. Mary Sehl
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  4. Patricia A. Ganz
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Correspondence to Mary Sehl.

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Sehl, M., Lu, X., Silliman, R. et al. Decline in physical functioning in first 2 years after breast cancer diagnosis predicts 10-year survival in older women. J Cancer Surviv 7, 20–31 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-012-0239-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-012-0239-5

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