Postoperative physical activity limitations and balance changes on patients who have been operated for breast cancer.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to assess the postoperative physical activity limitations and balance changes in patients who have been operated on for breast cancer. Some physical activity limitations and balance disorders can be expected after breast cancer surgery.

Methods: From 2008 to 2016, 112 patients who underwent breast cancer surgery were included in this study. The patients who have some neurological, physical, pulmonary or cardiac diseases were not included. Patients were invited to the hospital. Lack of balance and physical activity limitations were evaluated with a questionnaire including 17 questions.

Results: On the postoperative frequency distribution of physical activities criteria out of 112 patients %33.1 (n=37) people got 4 points and over while %66.9 (n=75) people got less than 4 points. After the operation, since more than 75 people got less than 4 points, it is accepted as inadequate in terms of physical activity. Looking at balance changes, in patients with breast-conserving surgery (BCS)were approximately 5.94-0.82 where as average modified radical mastectomy (MRM)was 5.94-0.41. According to criteria on postoperated patients' balance changes, the value of f was 3.162, contrary to this, as the value of p was found 0.078. Differences between operation and balance changes were not significant.

Conclusion: The patients who have had breast cancer surgery, physical activities were limited and life quality was down after the operation. On the other hand, there was no significant difference on balance changes depending on the operations.