breast cancer | Breast cancer, adapted physical activity and quality of vieBreast cancer, adapted physical activity and quality of life

Breast cancer, adapted physical activity and quality of vieBreast cancer, adapted physical activity and quality of life



Summary
Objective
To assess the benefits of practicing physical activity fencing (APAE) on quality of Life (QOL) and perceived social support of women with non-metastasized breast cancer in remission.

Method
Sample. Ten patients aged 36 to 55 years, taken care (medically and psychologically) for breast cancer at the Breast Institute (Drôme-Ardèche) participated in the study.

Tools
The protocol includes a QOL (FACT-B) scale, a perceived social support questionnaire (QSSS-C) and a semi-directional interview.

Results
The analysis of the interviews and the scales testify to the function containing the group. The symbolic around fencing and its practice, as well as group cohesion, the sense of belonging and the sharing of experiences bring benefits in terms of QOL and social support to the participants.

Conclusion

The APAE allows to leave the medical world and to enter into remission by limiting the experience of rupture relating to the cessation of treatments. This activity promotes the re-linking with the social world.

Abstract

Objective

According to the National Cancer Institute (2013) and with 43.763 listed cases in France during the year 2012, breast cancer is the most frequent cancer for women. With a survival rate of 85% after 5 years, the prognosis is very positive. After A breast cancer diagnosis, an estimated of 60% of the women develop one or several side effects (fatigue, life quality deterioration, risk of gaining weight, physical deterioration, risk of lymphedema, etc.). Studies show that physical activity (PA) has positive effects on these risk factors which form the co-morbidity linked to breast cancer, as well as the patients ' quality of life. Moreover, the adapted Physical activity (APA) adds to the recommendations of cancer plans 2 and 3, which promotes PA to all cancer patients in order to reduce after effects and risks of recurrence. PA means all the different movements, made by the contraction of inner skeleton muscles, leading to an increase of physical and energy exertion (professional or occupational activities, leisure activities, domestic activities, moving activities). APA is setting in motion the people who, due to their physical, mental, or social status are not able to have a normal/common PA. The word "adapted" means that the PA is adjusted to everyone's gaffe abilities and capacities, which means to the participants ' capacities and not to their incapacities. Researchers have shown that a regular APA allows an organism activation which fights off harmful effects of sedentary lifestyle and thus avoiding interactions with existing pathologies or specific lifestyle conditions. Besides, studies show that breast cancer patients that have no PA feel more anger, fatigue, depression and mood disorder than the ones who have that activity. Adapted Physical activity fencing (APAE) was created in Toulouse by Hornus-Drage (2014). Fencing has easily became the most adapted activity for the patients (body movement, possibility of changing lateral dominance, combative spirit, etc.)

Results

It brings physical benefits to breast cancer patients in day-to-day life. Zero studies have witnessed an impact on psychological or social areas of life quality. The development of the APAE in Drôme-Ardèche has an objective of promoting social rehabilitation and physical rehabilitation of the patients who are about to finish breast cancer treatment. This study aims to highlight potential benefits of the APAE group on the day-to-day life quality and the social support felt and experienced by breast cancer patients and the ones in remission. It wishes to explore the way that this group can establish by becoming a support to the elaboration of the breach with the medical world and putting back people in link with the social and professional world when entering in remission. Ten patients aged from 36 to 55 years old that were taken care of (medically and psychologically) for a breast cancer in the Institute of the Breast (Drôme-Ardèche) participated in this study. The protocol consists of a quality of life scale (Fact-B), a perceived social support questionnaire (QSSS-C) and a conducted interview.

Conclusion

Beyond the insignificant results of this research, the patient testimony speaks for themselves. After a few months of practice, they confirm that the APAE is now taking lots of space in their lives. All of that enduring the different teams to continue their commitment so that the APAE is massively adopted during the breast cancer patient care. The results of this exploratory research supplies leads to promote the integration of the APAE as care supply. This study demonstrates the direct compatibility and applicability of APAE in the rehabilitation phase after breast cancer surgery. This activity would act like a bridge allowing, in particular, to compensate during this abandonment moments felt by the patients after very intense treatment periods and thus gradually leave this patient status for an optimal and smooth return to "normal" life.