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.