Factors affecting recurrences of breast cancer : a systematic review

Abstract

The relapse of breast cancer after a period of remission, referred to as a recurrence, occurs when cancer returns after treatment. This systematic review aimed to provide a knowledge summary regarding factors affecting recurrences of breast cancer. A systematic literature survey was conducted using the electronic database from 2012 to 2021, identifying fourteen studies that also met the inclusion criteria and quality appraisal. Data analysis by thematic synthesis. The findings showed that five factors affecting recurrences of breast cancer were demographic, clinicopathology, treatment modality, health status, and health behavior. The main factor that is widely studied and affects the recurrence of breast cancer is the clinicopathology factor. The second most widely studied factor that also affects breast cancer recurrence is being overweight, which is a category of health status. The review study suggests that the factors affecting recurrences of breast cancer are both controllable and uncontrollable. Maintaining a healthy weight is the most important lifestyle choice of a woman diagnosed with breast cancer can manage her self-risk to reduce recurrence.