Attribution of functional limitation to cancer decreases in the year following breast cancer diagnosis in older patients

ObjectivesTo examine the prevalence of self-reported functional limitations in a breast cancer population, identify whether these reported limitations are attributed to breast cancer versus other coexisting illnesses, and examine how this attribution changes over time from early in treatment to 9 months later.DesignLongitudinal, observational study.SettingCommunity dwelling adults in Detroit metropolitan area.Participants2033 participants (1011 breast cancer patients, 1022 controls) aged 40–84 years.MeasurementsParticipants were asked about each of 23 possible coexisting illnesses in addition to breast cancer and whether or not each illness, including breast cancer, caused any activity limitation.ResultsOf the 933 cancer patients who completed both baseline and follow-up evaluations, 45% were aged 65 years and older. At baseline, 56% of patients 65 years and older reported functional limitation compared with 50% of patients younger than 65 years (p = 0.005). Of those patients who reported limitation at baseline, 59% of older patients and 78% of younger patients attributed their limitation to breast cancer (p < 0.001). At follow-up, 53% of older and 37% of younger patients reported functional limitation (p < 0.001), with 27% of older patients compared with 57% of younger patients (p < 0.001) attributing limitation to breast cancer.ConclusionSelf-reported functional limitations are common 3 months after breast cancer diagnosis, being attributed primarily to breast cancer. By 1 year after diagnosis, much of the limitation due to breast cancer resolves. Older women are less likely to have resolution of their limitations, which are most commonly due to other coexisting illnesses.