Upper limb function: Comparison of postmenopause women with and without a history of early breast cancer.

e20578 Background: Long term upper limb impairments following early breast cancer treatment are commonly reported in women years following surgery. However, the extent to which the symptoms are related to menopause and ageing, rather than cancer, has not been explored. This study aimed to compare upper limb strength, shoulder forward flexion range of motion (FF RoM), and presence of impairments in post menopausal women with and without a history of breast cancer. Methods: Community–dwelling age and body mass index (BMI)-matched post menopausal women with (n=40) and without a history of early breast cancer treatment (n=40) participated. Women with other types of cancer, metastatic cancer, and significant neurological or musculoskeletal history unrelated to breast cancer were excluded. Peak shoulder muscle strength was assessed using pneumatic resistance machines and FF RoM with a digital inclinometer. Participants completed the Disability of arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) questionnaire. Between groups comparison were made using analysis of co-variance with age and BMI as confounding variables. Results: Upper limb strength (206.22±45.0 vs. 225.36±86.9 Nm/kg, p=0.091) and FF RoM (166.75±7.9◦ vs. 170.14±6.9◦, p=0.259) were not significantly different between the study and the control group. There were no significant differences between the groups on any of the DASH sub scores (pain: 9.18±8.1 vs. 8.62±8.2, P=0.770). Conclusions: Upper limb impairments are often presumed to be a consequence of surgical procedures in women with breast cancer. However, some of the symptoms women perceive years following surgery may be related to the changes due to aging or menopause rather than cancer treatment.