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.