Sexual functioning and quality of life in Egyptian premenopausal patients receiving treatment for breast cancer

Abstract

Background: In Egypt, due to cultural reasons, breast cancer patients may suffer in silence struggling with their sexual problems. This is the first study to explore the sexual functioning of Egyptian breast cancer patients receiving anti-cancer treatment. Method(s): The study included 105 married premenopausal patients aged <0.001), physical functioning (p=0.002), role functioning (p<0.001), emotional functioning (p=0.004), social functioning (p=0.041) scales of EORTC QLQ-C30 and body image (p<0.001) and future prospective (p<0.001) scales of EORTC QLQ-BR23. There was a significant negative correlation between the FSFI score and scores of fatigue (p=0.001), pain (p=0.006) and appetite loss (p=0.028) scales/items of EORTC QLQ-C30 and systemic therapy side effects (p=0.003) scale of EORTC QLQ-BR23. Conclusion(s): The current results suggest that Egyptian breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy experience significant sexual dysfunction. The type of surgery has no direct effect on sexual functioning, but may affect it indirectly through its impact on body image satisfaction. Overall, sexual dysfunction is strongly related to the quality of life in this group of patients.