Self-compassion, physical fitness and climacteric symptoms in oophorectomized BRCA1/2 mutation carriers.
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.
['Arts-de Jong|Marieke|M|', 'van Westerop|Liselore L|LL|', 'Hoogerbrugge|Nicoline|N|', 'Massuger|Leon F|LF|', 'Maas|Angela H|AH|', 'van Beek|Maria H|MH|', 'de Hullu|Joanne A|JA|']
D000328:Adult D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies D004645:Empathy D005260:Female D019398:Genes, BRCA1 D024522:Genes, BRCA2 D006801:Humans D008593:Menopause D008875:Middle Aged D009154:Mutation D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms D010052:Ovariectomy D010809:Physical Fitness D011788:Quality of Life D012306:Risk
Self-compassion Physical fitness Climacteric symptoms BRCA mutation Risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy