Handwriting Change in Breast Cancer Patients

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer . In the course of cancer progression, there are specific
neuromuscular disturbances that directly affect coordination. Handwriting is regarded as a vital constituent
when it comes to the tracing of neuromuscular coordination. The Study aimed to study handwriting analysis
in female cancer breast patients trying to find simple useful, non-invasive way help in early detection and
diagnosis and follow up of those patients
Methods: The study included 160 participants. The study participants were asked to write the same text (two
Arabic sentences and her name in Arabic language) and draw lines in another paper, and then all handwriting
samples were scanned and examined.
Results: Breast cancer patients age ranged from 30 – 76 years old with a mean ± SD of 50.3 ± 10.5.Patients
according to Educational level parameter were 5 groups; Illiteracy eradication program, primary ,middle,
secondary, graduation and post gradates were 14 (8.75 %) , 10 (8.75 %) ,16(10 %),(80) 50 %,40 (25 %)
respectively .
By analysis of handwriting samples: Tremor, wide spaces between words, heavy writing pressure, slop or
slant of writing upward slant or down slant and heaviness of Initial and terminal strokes were observed.
After re-observation of pervious Handwriting changes and make a relation between these changes and
cancer stages and lines of treatment which received, it was noticed that these changes were in samples of
patient received multiple lines of treatment , in patients with metastasis or has another associated tumor as
ovarian, bladder cancers or lymphoma .
Conclusion: There is no evidence of significant handwriting Changes in breast cancer samples unless patient
received multiple lines of treatment , in patients with metastasis or has another associated tumor as ovarian,
bladder cancers or lymphoma