Abstract
Mastectomy Scar Assessment - A review of posas observer scale
Asia-Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology, Vol.12(Supplement 5), p.146
COSA Annual Scientific Meeting, 43rd (Gold Coast, Australia, 15-Nov-2016 - 17-Nov-2016)
2016
Abstract
Aim: Mastectomy is a variable associated with increased incidence of upperbody morbidity after breast cancer. Scar severity may contribute to this risk; however, there is no recognized mastectomy scar assessment. The Observer Scale (OS) from Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale has been evaluated in breast linear scar research but not for mastectomy scar tissue. This study investigates the suitability of OS to rate scar severity of two common scar types after mastectomy. Method: Therapists indicating interest in mastectomy scar from Linkedin connections and Google searched websites (English) were invited to participate in an online survey. Each OS feature was surveyed for two scenarios: mastectomy linear scar (LS) and mastectomy chest wall adhesion (CWA) assessment. Therapists rated the level of importance of five additional instructions or skill requirements for each scar feature, with the aim of achieving a more reliable assessment of scar severity. Data from therapists reporting 2+ years of experience were evaluated. Results: 28 responders met the experience criteria. Each therapist evaluated 4/9 scar types after mastectomy and many evaluated 9/9. CWA and LS assessment rated as strongly important in their practice (71% and 57%). Responders had high agreement (>90%) with the level of importance (5/6+6/6) for: clothing removal instruction for six OS scar features (LS and CWA) and scar palpation skills for the pliability feature (CWA). Sound agreement (80-90%) occurred for: scar palpation skills for vascularity (CWA), thickness and pliability features (LS) and knowledge of mastectomy scar types for thickness feature (LS and CWA). Reasonable agreement (70-80%) occurred for: scar stretch instruction for vascularity feature (LS) and pliability feature (CWA) and knowledge of scar types for most scar features. Mixed opinion (<55%) occurred for importance of photographic examples. Conclusion: Modifications to OS instructions and observer training should be developed for mastectomy LS assessment. CWA assessment was more important for therapists, supporting the need for additional measurement tools for clinicians. Clarification of scar types evaluated in LS and CWA assessment is required as nine scar types are potentially within this zone.
Details
- Title
- Mastectomy Scar Assessment - A review of posas observer scale
- Authors
- Denise Stewart (Author) - Breast and Shoulder RehabRoseAnne Baxter (Author)Kieran Broome (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
- Publication details
- Asia-Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology, Vol.12(Supplement 5), p.146
- Conference details
- COSA Annual Scientific Meeting, 43rd (Gold Coast, Australia, 15-Nov-2016 - 17-Nov-2016)
- Publisher
- Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
- DOI
- 10.1111/ajco.12646
- ISSN
- 1743-7555
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99450360902621
- Output Type
- Abstract
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