Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women, however, the incidence
has been increasing in recent decades. Patients are facing different health issues as change in
body composition, deterioration in physical ability and worse quality of life.
The purpose of this following study was to analyze the body composition among breast cancer
patients, to analyze the impact of body composition on six minute walk test and to assess how
Enright's predicted equation fits actually measured distance.
The sample consisted 63 breast cancer patients average age 54 ± 9. In the time of measurement,
the average duration of the disease was 8 ± 6 years. An anonymous questionnaire containing
information about birth date, the year of diagnosis, method of treatment, affected side and
lymphedema of the hand was used. Patients were asked how many times a week are they
physically active, how long does activity last and if they participate in any exercise program.
Analyzer BioScan 920-II (Maltron International, Rayleigh, ZDA) was used for body
composition analysis, which measured body fat percentage, lean muscle mass, total body water
and phase angle. Before analysis of body composition, their body height and body weight were
entered into the analyzer. A six minute walk test was performed in the 15-meter corridor,
according to the recommendations.
The average body mass index was 24.79 ± 3.45. Almost two thirds of patients had normal body
mass index, overweight or obese was more than one third. The average body fat percentage was
33. Results has shown that the body weight, body height, amount of physical activity and
duration of the disease have the largest impact on six minute walk test. The travelled distance
decreases by about two meters with each additional kilogram of body weight and increases with
body height, amount of physical activity and duration of the disease. Finally, results of Enright's
predicted equation underestimated measured walking distance for 77 metres. Based on the
findings, our own predictive equation for six minute walk test was made.
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