• Frequency and severity of symptom distress, pathological conditions, physical impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities
  
• Strengthen the morbidity risk factor model developed in a previous retrospective study
  

OBJECTIVES:

• Determine the frequency and severity of symptom distress, pathological conditions, physical impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities during the course of medical treatment.
• Strengthen the morbidity risk factor model developed in a previous retrospective study.

OUTLINE: This is a multicenter study.

Information about demographics; past medical history; family history; current medical illness and treatment; pain history; and social, physical, and recreational activities is obtained by patient interview and medical record review at baseline and at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Patients undergo standard upper body clinical physical exams (weight, height, range of motion, strength, upper limb lift testing, and arm girth) by a physical therapist at the same time points. Patients also complete the Upper Limb Disability Questionnaire, Quality of Life Questionnaire, and Physical Activity Questionnaire at baseline and at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Meets one of the following criteria:

  • Histologically confirmed stage I-IIIC breast cancer

    • Referred to the National Naval Medical Center Breast Care Center (NNMC-BCC) for the diagnosis and management (i.e., surgery and radiotherapy or chemotherapy) of breast cancer in 2001-2010
  • Has undergone an excisional biopsy at the NNMC-BCC in 2001-2010 AND is negative for breast cancer
• Hormone receptor status not specified

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• Female
• Menopausal status not specified
• Must be post-puberty
• Able to complete the clinical examination tests and questionnaires/surveys

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• See Disease Characteristics