Impact of Dyspnea on Functional Capacity in Breast Cancer Patients

Abstract

Background and Objective: Breast cancer in females stands most common cancer in India with rate of

incidence as 25.8 per 1,00,000 females. In breast and lung cancer dyspnea is more commonly seen. Dyspnea

is a multidimensional experience of breathing discomfort.[1] Dyspnea is fourth most common symptom

seen in cancer patients.[6] On functional activity breast cancer with dyspnea patients had general respiratory

weakness, lower peak exercise capacity and peak ventilation and more shallow and rapid breathing pattern

in response to activity. The purpose of this study was to find the impact of dyspnea on functional capacity

in breast cancer patients.

Material and Methodology: In this cross sectional study,100 subjects were taken between the age of 30-65

years, subjects were taken according to MRC score. Thus tests such as 6MWT and 1MSTS were performed

and cancer dyspnea scale was used to determine the impact.

Result: A total of 100 patients with dyspnea data were included. The study duration was of 6 months One

minute sit to stand test results (n=100, p=0.005),6 minute walk test results (n=100, p=0.005), the main

result was showed (n=100, p=0.0001) that was 43% subjects score positive and 57% subjects score negative

impact on functional capacity.

Conclusion: By this study, it is concluded that there is very low negative impact of dsypnea on functional

capacity in breast cancer patients.