Sexual Dysfunction in Breast Cancer Survivors

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine differences in body image and sexuality of breast cancer survivors, depending on treatment: radical mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery. Patients and Methods: A total of 206 patients treated for breast cancer between January 2001 and January 2004 were asked to fill in the questionnaire 1-5 years after treatment. Patients were divided into 2 groups. The first group consisted of 108 patients with advanced stages of breast cancer and who were treated with modified mastectomy with adjuvant chemo- or radiation therapy. The second group consisted of 98 patients with early stages of breast cancer who were treated with breast conserving surgery, lumpectomy and radiotherapy. Results: A significant number of patients in both groups was satisfied with their sexual life before treatment, 70.37 and 73.47% respectively, which is grossly reduced after treatment of breast cancer (56.48 and 50.00%, respectively, p > 0.05). Most of patients found their partner’s attitude towards them to be the same (31.48 and 45.92%), or even better (39.82 and 25.51%) after treatment, and they described them as very supportive and tender. In group 1, 58.33% of patients felt differences in their body image, in contrast to 44.90% in group 2. Similar proportions were observed in both groups for patients who felt mutilated (18.52 vs. 8.16%, p < 0.01). Conclusion: These findings confirm and extend previous reports of impaired sexual functioning among breast cancer survivors.

Same Quality of Life for Polish Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Mastectomy and Breast Reconstruction or Breast-Conserving Therapy

“…All women felt bad in this sphere of life. The same results were observed by American, Spanish, and Croatian investigators (14,29,30).…”

Management of Skin-Sparing Mastectomy: Results of a Survey of German Hospitals

“…This is remarkable, since the method was first described in 1991 by Thoth and Lappert [1]. 3 clinics, including 2 university hospitals, share the highest frequency with 60 operations per year.…”

“…The loss of a breast is a traumatic event in a woman's life, and the beneficial effects of breast reconstruction on the psychosocial and sexual well-being are proven [1][2][3]. The advantage of skin-sparing mastectomy with immediate reconstruction by autotransplantation is associated with superior cosmetic outcome.…”

Sexual Dysfunction Among Cancer Survivors

“…With breast cancer the term "survivors" is used here to refer to women who have completed surgery, chemotherapy/hormonal and/or radiation therapy for the treatment of breast cancer. Most breast cancer survivors experience about 15% reduction in sexual satisfaction after treatment ( Bukovic et al, 2005). Approximately 20-30% of breast cancer survivors experience sexual problems including general sexual disruption, decreased frequency of intercourse, and difficulties reaching orgasm that may persist 20 years post-treatment (Alfano et al, 2007).The reported prevalence of this problem varies greatly, partly due to the various methods and instruments used in their assessment.…”