Table 3.
Mapping of codes to the BREAST-Q scales
| Domain | BREAST-Q Item | No. of codes that mapped per item | Subcodes (where applicable) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Satisfaction-breast(s) (n = 485) | Look in the mirror-clothed | 39 | |
| Shape of breast(s)-bra on | 26* | ||
| Feel normal-clothed | 8 | ||
| Size of breast(s) | 19 | ||
| Wear fitted clothing | 55* | ||
| Breasts lined up | 20 | ||
| Bra fit | 31 | ||
| Softness of breast(s) | 45 | ||
| Breasts equal in size | 26 | ||
| Breast(s)-natural looking | 16 | ||
| Breast(s)-sit/hang | 11 | ||
| Breasts-touch | 25 | ||
| Breasts-part of body | 23 | ||
| Breasts-matched | 34 | ||
| Look in mirror-clothed | 74* | ||
| Implant-Rippling/Wrinkling | 5 | ||
| Clothing type | 24 | ||
| Movement | 4 | ||
| Satisfaction—nipples and areola (n = 44) | Size | 5 | |
| Shape | 2 | ||
| Natural | 4 | ||
| Color | 11 | ||
| Projection | 7 | ||
| Position | 1 | ||
| Similar | 1 | ||
| Sensation | 5 | ||
| Soft | 1 | ||
| Look overall | 7 | ||
| Satisfaction – cleavage (n = 14) | Scale under development | ||
| Satisfaction – scar (n = 116) | Mapped to SCAR-Q | ||
| Psychological wellbeing (n = 127) | Confident-social situation | 24 | |
| Emotionally able | 1 | ||
| Emotionally healthy | 21 | ||
| Equal worth to other women | 1 | ||
| Self-confident | 4 | ||
| Feminine | 1 | ||
| Accepting of body | 50 | ||
| Normal | 3 | ||
| Like other women | 15 | ||
| Attractive | 7 | ||
| Physical wellbeing – chest (n = 565) | Pain-chest | 69 | |
| Difficulty moving/lifting arm | 58 | ||
| Difficulty sleeping | 25 | ||
| Tightness-breast area | 61 | ||
| Pulling-breast area | 42 | ||
| Nagging feeling | 1 | ||
| Tenderness | 1 | ||
| Sharp pain | 24 | ||
| Aching feeling | 8 | ||
| Throbbing | 7 | ||
| Arm swelling | 25 | ||
| Other Arm codes^ | 374 | ||
| Breast swelling | 14 | ||
| Breast sensation | 230 |
Numbness (n = 71) Tingling (n = 34) Heavy (n = 27) Temperature changes (n = 19) Itchy (n = 12) Pressure (n = 9) Other abnormal sensation (n = 58) eg, burning, milk let-down, twinges |
|
| Comfortable/at ease | 44 |
At ease-overall (n = 8) At ease re. partner touching/looking at breasts (n = 34) At ease re. touching own breasts (n = 2) |
|
| Confident | 8 |
Self-conscious (n = 2) Confident (n = 6) |
|
| Satisfied | 55 |
Drive/arousal (n = 11) Frequency (n = 33) Quality (n = 7) Overall (n = 4) |
|
| Confident-breast appearance | 23 | Appearance of breasts and nipple (n = 23) | |
| Sexually attractive-unclothed | 30 | Look overall-unclothed (n = 30) | |
| Adverse effects of radiation (n = 79) | Skin-look different | 40 |
Color changes (n = 5) Overall different (n = 35) |
| Marks on skin | 3 | Brownish-black marks/looks burnt (n = 3) | |
| Skin-dry | 7 |
Dry (n = 3) Itchy (n = 4) |
|
| Skin-sore to touch | 17 |
Sore/painful/discomfort/tender (n = 9) Sensitive (n = 8) |
|
| Skin-thicker when touched | 11 | Feels different (n = 11) | |
| Skin-irritated by clothing | 1 | Clothing rubs against skin (n = 1) | |
| Other arm codes (n = 374) | Physical wellbeing | 135 |
Function Activity avoidance/behaviour (n = 27) Work impact (n = 11) Difficulty sleeping (n = 7) Difficulty lifting or moving arms (n = 90)# |
| 103 |
Symptoms Sensation-arm (n = 39) Pain (n = 33) Fatigue (n = 17) Skin changes (n = 6) Dexterity/Grip (n = 6) Pulling (n = 2) |
||
| Psychological wellbeing | 29 | Distress | |
| Satisfaction | 47 | Arm sleeve | |
| 60 | Arm appearance | ||
Codes highlighted in italic did not map to the BREAST-Q; ^arm codes that pertained to lymphedema are shown separately; #mapped to BREAST-Q Physical Wellbeing difficulty moving or lifting arm item