Physical Activity of Women After Radical Unilateral Mastectomy and Its Impact on Overall Quality of Life

Radical unilateral mastectomy is an acknowledged source of traumatic experience for women, adversely affecting their behavioral and emotional paradigm. The present study aimed to assess the quality of life in physically active and inactive postmastectomy women. Population sample involved 100 women, aged 50 to 60 years, having undergone radical unilateral mastectomy, allocated into 2 groups, upon assumption of undertaking physical activity. The abbreviated version of WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire was a research tool of choice. The data were analyzed with the aid of χ(2) test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Mann-Whitney U test. Statistically significant dependence was established between physical activity actually pursued and self-assessment of overall quality of life (P = .014) and overall the self-rated perception of health (P < .001). In the group of physically inactive women, physical health was a variable dependent upon individual level of education (P = .031). The highest scores in this domain were noted in the women boasting secondary education, whereas the lowest in the ones with vocational education. Social domain was the highest rated aspect of quality of life in both the physically active and inactive postmastectomy women, while the physical health domain was rated the lowest. Both in the case of physically active and inactive postmastectomy women, the quality of life in the respective domains, as listed in the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire, was found independent of the living environment.