Body image and sexual problems in young women with breast cancer

Abstract

SUMMARYPurpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of body image and sexual problems in the first months after treatment among women diagnosed with breast cancer at age 50 or younger.Background: Breast cancer treatment may have severe effects on the bodies of younger women. Surgical treatment may be disfiguring, chemotherapy may cause abrupt menopause, and hormone replacement is not recommended.Methods: A multi-ethnic population-based sample of 549 women aged 22-50 who were married or in a stable unmarried relationship were interviewed within seven months of diagnosis with in situ, local, or regional breast cancer.Results: Body image and sexual problems were experienced by a substantial proportion of women in the early months after diagnosis. Half of the 546 women experienced two or more body image problems some of the time (33%), or at least one problem much of the time (17%). Among sexually active women, greater body image problems were associated with mastectomy and possible reconstruction, hair loss from chemotherapy, concern with weight gain or loss, poorer mental health, lower self-esteem, and partner's difficulty understanding one's feelings. Among the 360 sexually active women, half (52%) reported having a little problem in two or more areas of sexual functioning (24%), or a definite or serious problem in at least one area (28%). Greater sexual problems were associated with vaginal dryness, poorer mental health, being married, partner's difficulty understanding one's feelings, and more body image problems, and there were significant ethnic differences in reported severity.Conclusions: Difficulties related to sexuality and sexual functioning were common and occurred soon after surgical and adjuvant treatment. Addressing these problems is essential to improve the quality of life of young women with breast cancer.

Psychometric Properties of the Persian Version of the Self-Assessed Support Needs Questionnaire for Breast Cancer Cases

“…Suffering selfbody image problems in women with breast cancer is also associated with increased sexual problems. Fobair et al (2006) found that, among sexually active women, main problems of mental body image with mastectomy and possible reconstruction, loss of hair due to chemotherapy, low self-esteem are associated with problems of the spouse or partner (Fobair et al, 2006). In the present study, findings show the key role of the spouse as an important factor in positive dealing with the disease.…”

Chemotherapy‐induced alopecia and effects on quality of life among women with breast cancer: a literature review

“…Secondly, it is described by breast cancer women as causing distress and as being traumatizing [5,[8][9][10][11]13,31,35,36]. Thirdly, there might be an impact on body image [17,40] although not all studies reported this association [14]. However, for a minority of women, alopecia is seen positively and perceived as a sign of the efficacy of chemotherapy.…”

“…In quantitative studies, alopecia has been associated with poorer body image [17] in women younger than 50 years old in some studies [40] but not all [14,34].…”

Association between Socioeconomic Status and Altered Appearance Distress, Body Image, and Quality of Life Among Breast Cancer Patients

“…Current research primarily focused on either clinical or demographic factors such as age, stage of breast cancer, treatment types, and length of survivorship (King et al, 2000b); Rosenberg et al, 2013). Researchers found that patients with mastectomy had worse body image compared to those who received breast-conserving surgery (King et al, 2000;Janz et al, 2005;Fobair et al, 2006). Patients who had additional treatment such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy had worse body image and elevated depression compared to patients who received surgery only (Schover et al, 1995).…”