Self-Managed Surveillance for Breast Cancer–Related Upper Body Issues: A Feasibility and Reliability Study

Background Early identification of breast cancer–related upper body issues is important to enable timely physical therapist treatment. Objective This study evaluated the feasibility and reliability of women performing self-managed prospective surveillance for upper body issues in the early postoperative phase as part of a hospital-based physical therapy program. Design This was a prospective, single-site, single-group feasibility and reliability study. Methods Presurgery arm circumference measurements were completed at home and at the hospital by participants and by a physical therapist. Instruction in self-measurement was provided using a video guide. After surgery, all circumference measurements were repeated along with self-assessment and therapist assessment for shoulder flexion and abduction active range of motion. Feasibility was determined by recruitment/retention rates and participant-reported ease of performing self-measurements (1 [very difficult] to 10 [very easy]). Reliability was determined as intrarater reliability, interrater reliability, and agreement. Results Thirty-three women who were 53.4 (SD = 11.4) years old participated, with recruitment and retention rates of 79% and 94%, respectively. Participant-reported ease of measurement was 8.2 (SD = 2.2) before surgery and 8.0 (SD = 1.9) after surgery. The intrarater reliability and interrater reliability were excellent before surgery (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] ≥ 0.94; 95% confidence interval = 0.87–0.97) and after surgery (ICC ≥ 0.91; 95% confidence interval = 0.76–0.96). Agreement between self-assessed and therapist-assessed active shoulder flexion (κ = 0.79) and abduction (κ = 0.71) was good. Limitations Further testing is needed using a prospective design with a longer follow-up to determine whether self-managed prospective surveillance and timely treatment can hinder the development of chronic breast cancer–related upper body issues Conclusions Self-measured arm circumference and shoulder range of motion are reliable, and their inclusion in a hospital-based program of prospective surveillance for upper body issues seems feasible. This approach may improve early detection and treatment