A Prospective Observational Pilot Study of Young Women Undergoing Initial Breast Cancer Treatment and Their Biopsychosocial Profile

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer in young women can be a major challenge for those affected. To offer support, the establishment of a biopsychosocial profile may be beneficial. Methods: For this prospective observational pilot study, we collected data of 19 women with a mean age of 42.8 ± 5.4 years (30.0-49.0 year) before (T0) and after (T1) initial breast cancer treatment. The handgrip strength (HGS), 6-minute walk test (6MWT), and bioimpedance analysis for the detection of phase angle (PhA) and bioimpedance vector analysis (BIVA) were used. Assessments included the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B), and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F). Results: Women (age <50 years) with breast cancer showed impaired functional status (HGS, 6MWT, and PhA), abnormal physiologic findings (BIVA), decreased health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and cancer-related fatigue (CRF) after breast cancer diagnosis prior to the onset of cancer treatment with significant deterioration following cancer treatment. This was accompanied by a potentially higher risk of mortality and impaired function due to the prevalence of values below a critical threshold (PhA: T0 = 11%, T1 = 42%; HGS: T0 = 21%, T1 = 32%). In addition, there was evidence of anxiety (47%) and depression (32%) at T0. Conclusion: Routine assessment of biomarkers of physical function, mental health, HRQoL, and CRF may lead to individual risk stratification and multidisciplinary intervention in young patients with breast cancer, which could help to personalize and optimize survivorship care plans.