Oncological pain and stress in women breast cancer survivors at different physical activity levels

Abstract

Breast cancer is a predominant disease with significant mortality rates. Pain and stress are prevalent consequences that cause large damage to the quality of life of surviving women. This article aimed to study cancer pain and stress in women who survived breast cancer and with different physical activity levels. Correlational and comparative descriptive research was performed with patients who were submitted to the Baecke questionnaire to measure the level of physical activity and, subsequently, segmented into two groups: one active and the other sedentary. Next, they were submitted to the McGill and Stress Perception Scale questionnaires to measure pain and stress, respectively. According to the tests performed, the sedentary group had a greater correlation with pain and stress (r=- 0.519; p=0.047), also showing a higher score on the stress scale with an average of 18.33 points and a deviation error of 3.976. In addition, the active group had a lower stress scale score, with a mean score of 16.67 and a deviation error of 5.122. According to data analysis, it was observed that sports practice provided a lower score on the stress scale in the active group. Physical activity should be encouraged in patients facing breast cancer and those who meet the risk criteria for developing the disease.