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

Abstract

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 χ2 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