The prevalence and risk factors for physical impairments in Chinese post-cancer treated breast cancer survivors: a 4 years’ cross-sectional study at a single center

The incidence of breast cancer in China was 19.2% in 2018, with a five-year survival rate of up to 80%. The impairments that may result from breast cancer treatment, such as lymphedema, pain, and symptoms related to nerve damage, could have long-term side effects. Its prevalence and symptom profile have been commonly reported in various countries, but such data are rarely available for China. Physical function was assessed in 138 breast cancer survivors (BCSs) in the study. The prevalence of lymphedema (65.9%) was higher than that of pain (31.2%), shoulder range of motion (ROM) restriction (20.3%), grip strength restriction (GSR) (21.7%) and paresthesia (11.6%). These impairments mainly appeared within 28 months after breast cancer diagnosis, but could happen in 10 years. Carcinoma in situ and radiotherapy (RT) were related to the occurrence of lymphedema (respectively B = -1.8, p = 0.003; B = 1.3, p = 0.001). RT and delayed rehabilitation time (DRT) may increase the severity of lymphedema (respectively p = 0.003, p = 0.010). Breast conserving surgery (B = -2.1, p = 0.002) and the occurrence of AWS (B = 3.1, p = 0.006) were related to the occurrence of pain. The occurrence of brachial plexus injury (BPI) (B = 3.1, p < 0.001) and pain (B = 1.9, p = 0.002) improved the occurrence of shoulder ROM restriction. The occurrence of BPI (B = 3.6, p < 0.001) improved the occurrence of GSR. The occurrence of pain (B = 2.1, p = 0.001) improved the occurrence of paresthesia. These findings prompt us to further investigate the actual rehabilitation needs of survivors and the specific barriers to rehabilitation in the following research.