Função dos músculos do assoalho pélvico, capacidade funcional, qualidade de vida e função sexual de mulheres sobreviventes do câncer de mama

Abstract

Breast cancer is a pathology with heterogeneous characteristics, with wide variation in terms of its morphological nature and unpredictable clinical responses. After the administration of therapeutic approaches, the appearance of symptoms and side effects of the treatment that affect functional capacity, sexual function and impact on the quality of life of survivors is common. However, studies that investigate these symptoms and effects on the pelvic floor muscles remain limited. Thus, this study aims to analyze the function of the pelvic floor muscles in breast cancer survivors and compare them to healthy women, as well as to compare their functional capacity, quality of life and sexual function. Forty women were recruited, equally divided into two groups: Group of Women with Breast Cancer (GMC) and Healthy Women Group (GMS). All participants underwent the following assessments: sociodemographic and clinical information questionnaire; 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT); Sit and Reach Test (SAT); dynamometry of upper limbs; Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire; PERFECT scheme and pelvic floor manometry. The GMC participants also answered two specific questionnaires for cancer patients. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference between the functional capacity tests in the 6MWT (p <0.01), in the TSA (p <0.01) and dynamometry (p 0.012 for the right hand and p 0.003 for the left hand), in addition to the FSFI questionnaire, PERFECT scheme and manometry (p< 0.001). The results of this study showed that dysfunctions in functional capacity, quality of life, sexual function and function of the pelvic floor muscles are very common in women with breast cancer when compared to healthy women.