PURPOSE
Breast cancer and secondary lymphedema cause high levels of functional debilitation among women and threaten independent living. This has profound implications for Kenyan women considering there is often a delay in detection and diagnosis. This cross-sectional study describes the magnitude of symptoms, the complications and potential impact to quality of life experienced by women with breast cancer in Kenya.
METHODS
129 women with breast cancer (stage I-III) were recruited through two centers in Kenya. Demographic and clinical data were obtained through questionnaires and medical records. Assessments included: body composition, relative lymphatic volume, neuromuscular and functional performance, shoulder range of motion, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, self-rated levels of fatigue and symptom experience, and quality of life.
RESULTS
61% of patients were indigenous, 22% Asian, 12% Anglo-Celtic and 5% European. Indigenous women had more advanced stages of disease (p=.010); higher BMI (p=.007), relative lymphatic volume (p=.008) and blood pressure (p=.026). Average age of indigenous women was lower than non-indigenous (p=.001). Physical, cognitive and social function as well as body image were lower for indigenous than non-indigenous women (p=.032). There were no differences for physical and functional measures between indigenous and non-indigenous women.
CONCLUSION
A tendency exists for indigenous women with breast cancer to be younger, have later-stage cancers, higher symptom experience and lower quality of life compared to non-indigenous women. Collectively this is likely to impact their survival rate. Further research is needed to explore existence associations between lifestyle factors, clinical characteristics and physical function, especially among indigenous populations of breast cancer survivors.