Self-reported sexual health: Breast cancer survivors compared to women from the general population – an observational study

Oberguggenberger, Anne; Martini, Caroline; Huber, Nathalie; Fallowfield, Lesley; Hubalek, Michael; Daniaux, Martin; Sperner‐Unterweger, Barbara; Holzner, Bernhard; Sztankay, Monika; Gamper, Eva‐Maria; Meraner, Verena

doi:10.1186/s12885-017-3580-2

Cited by 55 publications

(66 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…However, impaired sexual function, compared with healthy women, has also been reported in women treated with surgery only ( 48 ), indicating that factors other than the physical ones may be involved. Indeed, the distress in partnered relationships ( 107–110 ), body image concerns ( 111 , 112 ), depressive feelings ( 113 ), younger age at diagnosis ( 113 ), and presence of comorbidities ( 114 ) have all been reported amongst the most important determinants of female sexual dysfunction.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Associations Between Breast Cancer Survivorship and Adverse Mental Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review

Carreira

Williams

Mûller

et al. 2018

JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute

284

179

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BackgroundWe aimed to systematically review the evidence on adverse mental health outcomes in breast cancer survivors (≥1 year) compared with women with no history of cancer.MethodsStudies were identified by searching MEDLINE, PsycINFO, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and the Social Sciences Citation Index, and through backward citation tracking. Two researchers selected the studies, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias.ResultsSixty studies were included. Of 38 studies of depression, 33 observed more depression in breast cancer survivors; this was statistically significant in 19 studies overall, including six of seven where depression was ascertained clinically, three of four studies of antidepressants, and 13 of 31 that quantified depressive symptoms. Of 21 studies of anxiety, 17 observed more anxiety in breast cancer survivors, statistically significant in 11 studies overall, including two of four with clinical/prescription-based outcomes, and in eight of 17 of anxiety symptoms. Breast cancer survivors also had statistically significantly increased symptoms/frequency of neurocognitive dysfunction (18 of 24 studies), sexual dysfunctions (5 of 6 studies), sleep disturbance (5 of 5 studies), stress-related disorders/PTSD (2 of 3 studies), suicide (2 of 2 studies), somatisation (2 of 2 studies), and bipolar and obsessive-compulsive disorders (1 of 1 study each). Studies were heterogeneous in terms of participants’ characteristics, time since diagnosis, ascertainment of outcomes, and measures reported. Approximately one-half of the studies were at high risk of selection bias and confounding by socio-economic status.ConclusionsThere is compelling evidence of an increased risk of anxiety, depression and suicide, and neurocognitive and sexual dysfunctions in breast cancer survivors compared with women with no prior cancer. This information can be used to support evidence-based prevention and management strategies. Further population-based and longitudinal research would help to better characterize these associations.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Associations Between Breast Cancer Survivorship and Adverse Mental Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review

Carreira

Williams

Mûller

et al. 2018

JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute

284

179

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Hence, our hypothesis of the dissatisfaction with sex life was shown to be true. 1974-1978 1964-1968 1954-1958 1944-1948 All Sexuality and femininity have been identified among the most crucial determinants for the quality of life among women surviving cancer [9,13,[21][22][23]. The negative impact of malignant disease on sexual functioning is well recognized [24].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Young women with BC have concerns regarding changes in sexuality, fertility, and body image [25]. They also report years after treatment sexual health impairments that differ significantly from those of women without a history of BC [21].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The importance of and satisfaction with sex life among breast cancer survivors in comparison with healthy female controls and women with mental depression or arterial hypertension: results from the Finnish nationwide HeSSup cohort study

Salakari

Nurminen

Sillanmäki

et al. 2019

Support Care Cancer

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Introduction Breast cancer (BC) and its treatment is associated with several physical and psychosocial changes that may influence sexuality for years after treatment. Women with BC show significantly greater rates of sexual dysfunction than do healthy women. The purpose of the study was to evaluate how a BC diagnosis associates with women's perceived sexuality and sexual satisfaction. Material and methods The data of the ongoing prospective Health and Social Support (HeSSup) survey was linked with national health registries. Respondents with registry data confirmed BC (n = 66), mental depression (n = 612), arterial hypertension (n = 873), and healthy women (n = 9731) formed the study population. The importance of and satisfaction with sex life were measured by a self-report questionnaire modified from the Schover's and colleagues' Sexual History Form. Results Women with BC considered sex life less important than did healthy women (p < 0.001). They were significantly less satisfied with their sex life than healthy women (p = 0.01) and women with arterial hypertension (p = 0.04). Living single or educational level did not explain the differences between the groups. Conclusions BC survivors depreciate their sex life and experience dissatisfaction with it. Sexuality can be a critical issue for the quality of life of women surviving from BC, and hence, the area deserves major attention in BC survivorship care. Health care professionals should regularly include sexual functions in the assessment of BC survivors' wellbeing.

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“…Previous studies by Beckjord et al found that the presence of emotional distress, as well as treatment, could have a significant impact on the sexual quality of life [14]. Although much of this work has been done in breast cancer survivors [15][16][17][18], emerging literature shows similar figures for the survivors of gynecologic cancer affected [1,19,20]. Patients may experience problems that involve mental and emotional changes that they do not think oncologists can solve for them.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Attitudes and Behavior of Patients with Gynecologic Malignancy Towards Sexual Issues: a Single-institutional Survey

Chen

et al. 2019

J Canc Educ

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To better understand patients' perspectives and preferences for sexual issues and to provide information to guide medical staff in delivering sexual health care, an anonymous, cross-sectional survey of inpatient gynecologic cancer patients was conducted from April 2017 to March 2018. The questionnaire consisted of three parts: basic information, a history of sexuality discussion, and eight preference questions. A total of 1192 patients were included, and the median age was 43 years. More than half of the patients had a junior high school education or less and low income. Of the patients, 46.2% agreed that, "Doctors should deal with patients' sexual issues," and 56.2% agreed that, "Doctors should raise the topic of sexual issues." While 69.1% of the patients were willing to raise the topic themselves if any sexual problem existed, 35.9% of the patients agreed, "It's not the right time to discuss sex due to my severe disease." Less than 30% of the patients thought that "There's no need to intervene because sex is private" and "I do not feel comfortable discussing sex." A total of 41.1% of the patients were interested in undertaking basic sexual health consultation. Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated the following predictive factors for a history of consultation: young age; good education; and agreement with the statements, "Doctors should raise the topic of sexual issues," "If any sexual problem exists, I will raise the topic," and "I have an interest in participating in sex-counseling activities." Patients were willing to discuss sexual issues and were interested in sexual health training. It is important to increase the medical staff awareness of the need to inquire about and address patients' sexual issues.

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Self-reported sexual health: Breast cancer survivors compared to women from the general population – an observational study

Cited by 55 publications

References 43 publications

Associations Between Breast Cancer Survivorship and Adverse Mental Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review

Associations Between Breast Cancer Survivorship and Adverse Mental Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review

The importance of and satisfaction with sex life among breast cancer survivors in comparison with healthy female controls and women with mental depression or arterial hypertension: results from the Finnish nationwide HeSSup cohort study

Attitudes and Behavior of Patients with Gynecologic Malignancy Towards Sexual Issues: a Single-institutional Survey

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