1. Self-compassion, physical fitness and climacteric symptoms in oophorectomized BRCA1/2 mutation carriers.
- Author
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Arts-de Jong M, van Westerop LL, Hoogerbrugge N, Massuger LF, Maas AH, van Beek MH, and de Hullu JA
- Subjects
- Adult, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Genes, BRCA1, Genes, BRCA2, Humans, Middle Aged, Mutation, Ovarian Neoplasms prevention & control, Quality of Life, Risk, Empathy, Menopause physiology, Ovariectomy, Physical Fitness
- Abstract
Objectives: To reduce the risk of ovarian cancer, BRCA1/2 mutation carriers are advised to undergo salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) around the age of 40 years. This may induce severe climacteric symptoms, potentially lowering their quality of life. Personal positive resources such as physical fitness and self-compassion may help women to deal with these symptoms. We investigated the association of climacteric symptoms with self-compassion and physical fitness in oophorectomized BRCA1/2 mutation carriers., Study Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 165 BRCA1/2 mutation carriers, aged 40-63 years, who underwent an RRSO at age 45 years or younger and at least 5 years previously., Main Outcome Measures: Climacteric symptoms were measured by the Greene Climacteric Scale. Self-compassion was rated using the Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form, and physical fitness using the Duke Activity Status Index., Results: BRCA1/2 mutation carriers reported low levels of climacteric symptoms (mean 10.28 [SD 6.45], and being highly self-compassionate and physically fit. After adjustment for possible covariates, higher self-compassion (β=-1.65, 95% CI -2.46, -0.84) and physical fitness (β=-0.25, 95% CI -0.34, -0.16) were associated with fewer climacteric symptoms. Current smoking was independently associated with more climacteric symptoms (β=2.66, 95% CI 0.26, 5.07)., Conclusions: Being self-compassionate and physically fit were associated with fewer climacteric symptoms. Future research is needed to investigate the effect of training in self-compassion and physical fitness on climacteric symptoms in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2018
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