Cancer treatmentinduced menopause: Meaning for breast and gynecological cancer survivors

Abstract

Many cancer survivors are faced with irreversible changes resulting from cancer treatment. One such change some women face after cancer is treatment-induced menopause. Eight women (four with breast and four with gynecological cancers) were interviewed to explore the impact of treatment-induced menopause on their lives. Results indicated that participants' understanding and coping with menopause occurred within the larger context of the total cancer experience. For some of the women, menopause was not a significant problem; for others, the symptoms caused major distress and were a continuing reminder of the losses suffered due to cancer. Important concerns for all participants were: taking and keeping control, the desire to return to "normal" after cancer, and maintaining a coherent sense of self. Strong statements were also made about the power of knowing and the power of support in coping with treatment-induced menopause. Findings are discussed with implications for nursing practice.

Chemically-Induced Menopause and the Sexual Functioning of Breast Cancer Survivors

“…This confirms previous interview-based research that highlighted the importance of partner support following treatment (Davis et al, 2000, Ghizzani, Pirtolli, Bellezza & Velicogna, 1995Wilmoth & Ross, 1997). Our participants, like those in Davis et al's (2000) study emphasized partners' patience and understanding.…”

“…This is an important omission as the sexual side-effects of CIM vary considerably in nature and severity, as does the severity of other CIM-related symptoms such as hot flashes (Davis et al, 2000). As Meyerowitz et al (1999) have suggested, some less severe symptoms may be missed by quantitative methods.…”

“…Further, qualitative methodology allows for insight into the phenomenology of the sexual changes experienced by many breast cancer survivors and can provide a depth of information that may complement previous research and be used to better prepare women and their partners for a potential CIM and its sexual side-effects. Recent qualitative studies that have asked breast cancer survivors to describe their experiences following treatment have pointed to the importance that CIM and/or sexuality may have for breast cancer survivors (e.g., Davis, Zinkand & Finch, 2000;Ferrell et al, 1997;Wilmoth & Ross, 1997). For example, Wilmoth and Ross (1997) asked breast cancer survivors to describe anything that had changed sexually since diagnosis.…”

Improving care for women after gynecological cancer

“…In a qualitative study, treatment-induced menopause was described as a source of major distress for women and a constant reminder of the losses they had experienced because of gynecological cancer. 17 In addition, both patients and providers identified difficulties talking about sexual issues. 26 In many instances, providers discussed sexual issues only within the context of an informed consent discussion before therapy and waited for the patients to raise any sexually related concerns experienced after treatment.…”

Répercussions somatiques et psychologiques des modifications hormonales liées aux traitements adjuvants des cancers du sein de la femme jeune

“…Même non traitée, la ménopause naturelle est généralement bien assumée. En revanche, la ménopause artificielle précoce et en particulier celle qui fait suite au traitement d'un cancer mammaire est bien plus mal vécue, car elle est brutale et survient souvent à un âge où les maternités sont encore possibles et à une période de la vie où le couple est en plein épanouisse-ment (Davis, 2000). La ménopause précoce est parfois ressentie comme une injuste limitation imposée aux perspectives de fertilité même chez les patientes n'ayant pas ou plus de projets de grossesse ultérieure.…”