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Physical side-effects following breast reconstructive surgery impact physical activity and function

Supportive Care in Cancer volume 29, pages 787–794 (2021)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose

To investigate the incidence and severity of physical side-effects experienced by women following breast reconstructive surgery and the effect of these side-effects on physical activity and function.

Methods

Two hundred and thirty-one Australian women (55 years SD 6.5) who had previously had breast reconstruction surgery retrospectively self-reported the incidence and severity of eight physical side-effects and the perceived effect of these side effects on six physical functions, at three time points after their surgery. The frequency of the combined incidence/severity scores and their impact at the three time points were tabulated and compared using Chi-squared tests. A general linear regression was used to identify characteristics associated with moderate–very high (≥ 5/10) combined incidence/severity scores.

Results

At 6 months following surgery, approximately 50% of respondents reported moderate to very high incidence/severity scores for physical side-effects across multiple body regions, which were perceived to limit their physical function and activity levels. The highest incidence/severity scores were associated with the following: (i) pre-existing physical problems before surgery, (ii) post-operative complications (seroma, infection, necrosis), and (iii) autologous rather than implant-based reconstructions.

Conclusion

A large percentage of women reported moderate to severe physical side-effects across multiple body regions following breast reconstructive surgery. These side-effects were perceived to negatively impact both physical function and activity. Early intervention, education and treatment are recommended to alleviate these issues and minimise their negative impact.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Breast Cancer Network Australia, Register4 and breast cancer support groups (including Reclaim Your Curves) for their support of this project.

Funding

The study was funded by the University of Wollongong, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biomechanics Research Laboratory, School of Medicine, Faculty of Science, Medicine & Health, University of Wollongong, Northfields Avenue, Wollongong, New South Wales, 2522, Australia

    Deirdre E. McGhee & Julie R. Steele

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  1. Deirdre E. McGhee
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  2. Julie R. Steele
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Correspondence to Deirdre E. McGhee.

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Informed consent was assumed when the participants clicked “I agree” to progress with the online survey. The University Human Research Ethics Committee approved all data collection procedures (HE15/453).

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McGhee, D.E., Steele, J.R. Physical side-effects following breast reconstructive surgery impact physical activity and function. Support Care Cancer 29, 787–794 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-020-05534-6

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