Occurrence and impact of pelvic floor dysfunction in women with and without breast cancer: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: One of the sequalae of breast cancer treatments may be pelvic floor (PF) dysfunction such as urinary incontinence (UI), faecal incontinence (FI), and pelvic organ prolapse (POP).

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the occurrence and related distress and impact of PF dysfunction between women with and without breast cancer.

METHODS: Women with and without breast cancer participated in this cross-sectional study.

The Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory and Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire were used to quantify the prevalence and related distress, and impact of PF dysfunction.

Factors associated with PF outcomes were examined using logistic and linear regressions while controlling for known risk factors for PF dysfunction (age, body mass index, and parity).

RESULTS: 120 women with breast cancer, and 170 women without breast cancer responded.

The occurrence of any type of UI was higher in women with breast cancer than women without breast cancer (percentage difference=17%; 95% CI: 7, 29).

Women with breast cancer experienced higher impact of urinary symptoms (mean difference=18.2; 95% CI: 8.9, 27.7) compared to those without.

Multivariable analysis indicated that having breast cancer (β 0.33; 95%CI: 0.08, 0.51) was the strongest predictor of greater impact of urinary symptoms.

CONCLUSION: Women with breast cancer reported a higher occurrence and impact of urinary symptoms than women without breast cancer.

While further studies are required to confirm our findings, routine screening and offering treatment for urinary symptoms may be indicated for women with breast cancer.