CUFF Study: Characterization of Upper Limb Function following Mastectomy and Reconstruction for Breast Cancer
Objective
The purpose of this research is to provide information describing the relationships between type of breast reconstruction and shoulder/upper extremity function and perceived health-related quality of life (HRQOL) for breast cancer survivors. The hypotheses for this project include:
1) patients undergoing reconstruction will report greater shoulder/upper extremity function on questionnaires compared to patients who do not have reconstruction.
2) patients who receive reconstruction will have greater objective measures of shoulder/upper extremity function (strength, range of motion) than patients who do not have reconstruction.
3) positive relationships will exist among self-reports and objective measures of function, indicating that better function is positively associated with greater measures of function.
4) patients will have reduced function, reduced strength, and reduced range of motion following reconstructive surgery compared to before reconstructive surgery.
