Factors associated with pelvic floor dysfunction in women with breast cancer

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of pelvic floor (PF) dysfunction according to breast cancer characteristics and examine the association between breast cancer characteristics and the prevalence, distress and impact of PF dysfunction in women with breast cancer. Outcome measures: The Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory and Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire were used to quantify the prevalence, distress and impact of PF dysfunction. Results: Data from 120 women with breast cancer were included in this analysis. Women who underwent chemotherapy experienced the highest rates of UI (n=23/29; 79%) and FI (n=7/29; 24%). The associations between breast cancer characteristics and the presence of pelvic floor dysfunction were not statistically significant. Being older (β 0.25 95%CI 0.05, 0.44), and having stage IV breast cancer (β 0.83 95%CI 0.24, 1.42) were statistically significant predictors of reporting high distress of PF dysfunction. Being older (β 0.22 95%CI 0.01, 0.45), having breast irradiation (β 0.51 95%CI 0.08, 0.93) and more time since diagnosis (β 0.35 95%CI 0.16, 0.54) were also statistically significant predictors of experiencing higher impact of PF dysfunction. Implications: Our findings show that UI and FI are prevalent in women receiving breast cancer treatment, with increasing distress demonstrated in older women with more advanced disease. The impact of PF dysfunction appears to increase with more time after breast cancer diagnosis. A greater focus by health services and clinicians to assess and offer treatment for PF dysfunction may be warranted in women with breast cancer.