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Updated: Feb 16, 2026

Functional Assessment of BRCA1 variants using CRISPR-Mediated Base Editors
Published on: February 28, 2021
Self-compassion, physical fitness and climacteric symptoms in oophorectomized BRCA1/2 mutation carriers
Marieke Arts-de Jong1, Liselore L van Westerop1, Nicoline Hoogerbrugge2
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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.
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