The Effect of Physical Activity Levels on Body Image, Self-esteem, and Quality of Life in Women after Breast Cancer Surgery

Based on many evidences, physical activity levels are one of the most important factors in maintaining personal and social health. The current study aimed to investigate the effect of physical activity (PA) on body image, self-esteem, and quality of life in women after breast cancer surgery.

The participants of the present study were 252 women with breast cancer who had undergone breast cancer surgery at least once in the Mo'tamed hospital in Tehran. Assessment tools were the international Physical Activity questionnaire (IPAQ), self-administrated European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC-QLQ-C30), Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ), and Coopersmith self-esteem (SEI) questionnaires. To analyze the data, the ANOVA, and Tukey post hoc test were used respectively.

Results showed a significant difference between low and moderate, low and high, and moderate and high PA level on body image, self-esteem, and quality of life (P≤0.05). The moderate level of PA had more effect compared to the low and high levels of PA.

Our study suggested that physicians, Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, should be schedules more PA and sports plans for patients with breast cancer surgery and increase patients’ awareness of PA benefits.