Self-perceived muscular strength and its correlation with physical, mental, and emotional health status in long-term breast cancer survivors: a cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to explore the association between different levels of self-perceived muscular strength and health status among long-term breast cancer survivors (LTBCSs), as well as to determine the factors that predict self-perceived muscular strength during this phase of long-term survivorship.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 80 LTBCSs, classified into three groups based on self-perceived muscular strength levels: very poor/poor (1-2), average (3), and good/very good (4-5). Variables analyzed, measured ≥ 5 years post-diagnosis, included other aspects of physical fitness, physical activity (PA) levels, pain, cancer-related fatigue (CRF), mood state, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). ANOVA, Mann-Whitney U, and chi-square tests were performed, along with correlation and multiple regression analysis. Cohen's d was used to calculate effect sizes.

RESULTS

Among LTBCSs, 37.5% reported very poor/poor self-perceived muscular strength, 32.5% average, and 30% good/very good levels. Participants with lower self-perceived muscular strength exhibited declines in physical fitness, greater inactivity, higher pain levels, elevated CRF, mood disturbances, and reduced HRQoL (all p < 0.05). Regression analysis identified "general physical fitness" (β = 0.32; p = 0.01), "cardiorespiratory endurance" (β = 0.40; p < 0.01), "global health status" (β = 0.16; p = 0.04), and "breast symptoms" (β = - 0.16; p = 0.04) as significant predictors of higher self-perceived muscular strength (r2 adjusted = .573).

CONCLUSION

Good/very good levels of self-perceived muscular strength were observed in just 30% of LTBCSs. Those with lower self-perceived muscular strength exhibited more significant physical, mental, and emotional decline ≥ 5 years post-diagnosis. The combination of "general physical fitness," "cardiorespiratory endurance," "global health status," and "breast symptoms" accounts for 57.3% of the variance in self-perceived muscular strength levels among LTBCSs.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Targeted interventions addressing self-perceived muscular strength could help mitigate long-term physical and emotional sequelae.