Factors associated with pelvic floor dysfunction in women with breast cancer
Udari N. Colombage,
Sze-Ee Soh,
Kuan-Yin Lin,
Amanda Vincent,
Michelle White,
Jane Fox,
Helena C. Frawley
Affiliations
Udari N. Colombage
Department of Physiotherapy, Melbourne School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, 161 Barry St, Carlton, Victoria 3053, Australia; Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Federation University, Northways Road, Churchill, Victoria 3842, Australia; Department of Physiotherapy, Monash University, Moorooduc Hwy, Frankston, Victoria 3199, Australia; Correspondence to: Melbourne School of Health Sciences, Level 7, 161 Barry St, The University of Melbourne VIC 3010, Australia.
Sze-Ee Soh
Department of Physiotherapy, Monash University, Moorooduc Hwy, Frankston, Victoria 3199, Australia; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 553 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia
Kuan-Yin Lin
Department of Physical Therapy, National Cheng Kung University, 1-3, Daxue Road, East District, Tainan City 701, Taiwan; Institute of Allied Health Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 1-3, Daxue Road, East District, Tainan City 701, Taiwan
Amanda Vincent
Menopause Clinic, Department of Endocrinology, Monash Health, 246 Clayton Road, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia; Breast Cancer Clinic, Moorabbin Hospital, Monash Health, 823-865 Centre Road, Bentleigh East, Victoria 3165, Australia; Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation (MCHRI), School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 43-51 Kanooka Grove, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
Michelle White
Breast Cancer Clinic, Moorabbin Hospital, Monash Health, 823-865 Centre Road, Bentleigh East, Victoria 3165, Australia
Jane Fox
Breast Cancer Clinic, Moorabbin Hospital, Monash Health, 823-865 Centre Road, Bentleigh East, Victoria 3165, Australia; Department of Surgery, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, 246 Clayton Road, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
Helena C. Frawley
Department of Physiotherapy, Melbourne School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, 161 Barry St, Carlton, Victoria 3053, Australia; Allied Health Research, Royal Women’s Hospital, 20 Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia; Allied Health Research, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084 Melbourne, Australia
Purpose:: To determine the prevalence of pelvic floor (PF) dysfunction according to breast cancer characteristics and examine the association between breast cancer characteristics and the prevalence, distress and impact of PF dysfunction in women with breast cancer. Outcome measures:: The Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory and Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire were used to quantify the prevalence, distress and impact of PF dysfunction. Results:: Data from 120 women with breast cancer were included in this analysis. Women who underwent chemotherapy experienced the highest rates of UI (n=23/29; 79%) and FI (n=7/29; 24%). The associations between breast cancer characteristics and the presence of pelvic floor dysfunction were not statistically significant. Being older (β 0.25 95%CI 0.05, 0.44), and having stage IV breast cancer (β 0.83 95%CI 0.24, 1.42) were statistically significant predictors of reporting high distress of PF dysfunction. Being older (β 0.22 95%CI 0.01, 0.45), having breast irradiation (β 0.51 95%CI 0.08, 0.93) and more time since diagnosis (β 0.35 95%CI 0.16, 0.54) were also statistically significant predictors of experiencing higher impact of PF dysfunction. Implications:: Our findings show that UI and FI are prevalent in women receiving breast cancer treatment, with increasing distress demonstrated in older women with more advanced disease. The impact of PF dysfunction appears to increase with more time after breast cancer diagnosis. A greater focus by health services and clinicians to assess and offer treatment for PF dysfunction may be warranted in women with breast cancer.
