Sexuality in cancer patients: a study on female sexual dysfunctions in women with breast cancer

Abstract

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer among women. The diagnosis and treatments of BC negatively affect quality of life (QoL) and sexual functioning (SF). Cancer treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone therapy, can directly affect body image, disrupt relationship closeness and sexuality. The beauty of the breast is an important aspect to femininity, self estimate and self confidence in women. Sexuality appear less important than the short and long-term adverse effects of treatment in cancer patients. Sexual Dysfunction is when at least one aspect of sexual response cycle does not function properly. It may be libido, arousal or orgasm that is involved. Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to assess to determine the QoL levels of patients with BC during chemotherapy (A) and follow-up (B) and to find out the problems that affect their QoL and SF. Methods: The data were collected using the '36-Item Short Form Health Survey' (SF-36), a set of generic, coherent, and easily administered quality-of-life measures and the 'Female Sexual Function Index' (FSFI) a multidimensional scale for assessment of sexual functioning. Results: Overall QOL for this sample (N=60) was moderate and treatment procedures caused important problems that had a negative effect on physical, psychological, social aspects of QoL. In addition, the main causes of sexual dysfunctions were in group A lack of arousal (2.33) and lubrification (2.42) while in group B lack of sexual desire (2.62) and arousal (2.35). The real impact of psychological aspects of therapy on female sexual functions should be prospectively studied. Conclusions: Evaluation of the above variables in BC women is actually the only way to allow them to face a relevant aspect of their QoL, most of the times neglected both by health professionals and themselves too. Importance of data will suggest hospital institutions to consider sexual it as a key point in cancer rehabilitation.