The Problem of Kinesiophobia and Physical Activity in Women after Mastectomy - Scale of the Problem and its Selected Determinants- A Cross Sectional Study

The quality of life of women after mastectomy deteriorates in many areas. Many researchers believe that physical activity - PA is a key strategy to help alleviate the negative psychosocial and physical side effects of breast cancer and its treatment, reduce the risk of comorbidities and secondary malignancies, and improve overall quality of life. However, many women do not meet the criteria for a level of PA with health benefits. The barrier is the fear of taking up activity - kinesiophobia. This problem has been poorly understood so far, therefore it was the aim of the presented research to get to know its scale and conditions. A serious scale of the occurrence of kinesiophobia was found, affecting over 46% of the respondents. The level of perceived pain, low PA and the level of psychological well-being were predictors of the severity of kinesiophobia. The determinants of kinesiophobia are very complex, which requires further research. The rationale is the positive association of PA with the survival prognosis as well as the physical and mental well-being of women after mastectomy.