Affiliations: [a] Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University, Morphou, North Cyprus, via Mersin 10, Turkey | [b] Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Eastern Mediterranean University, Famagusta, North Cyprus, via Mersin 10, Turkey
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Gozde Iyigun, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Eastern Mediterranean University, Famagusta, North Cyprus, via Mersin 10, Turkey. Tel.: +90 392 630 3011; E-mail: gozde.iyigun@emu.edu.trorgozdeiyigun@yahoo.com.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The quality of life of breast cancer survivors who had a mastectomy may decrease due to potential physical problems and reduced upper extremity functions. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the physical characteristics, upper extremity functions and quality of life of breast cancer survivors and healthy women. METHODS: A total of 66 women participated in this study: breast cancer survivors (n= 33) and healthy counterparts (n= 33) participated in this study. The Lateral Scapular Dyskinesia Slide Test was used to evaluate scapular dyskinesia, the hand-held dynamometer was used to measure upper extremity muscular strength, the Angle Reproduction Test was used to measure upper extremity position sense, the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire was used to assess upper extremity functions, and the Short Form-36 was used to assess the quality of life. RESULTS: The findings showed that the prevalence of scapular dyskinesia was higher, whereas upper extremity muscle strength, shoulder joint position sense, upper extremity functions and many sub-dimensions of quality of life were reduced in breast cancer survivor women compared to the healthy women (p< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Several physical characteristics, upper extremity functions and quality of life of breast cancer survivor women who had a mastectomy were affected more in comparison to healthy women. Thus, these parameters should be included in physiotherapy assessment and treatment programs.
Keywords: Breast cancer survivor, scapular dyskinesia, muscle strength, position sense, functions, quality of life
