Sexual Function in Women with Breast Cancer: An Evidence Map of Observational Studies

Abstract

Breast cancer (BC) is the leading cause of cancer in women, and has implications for sexual function (SF). In this study, we used an evidence map to identify, describe, and organise the current available evidence regarding SF in women with BC. We searched the MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL databases for observational studies assessing SF in women with BC published in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French between 2000 and 2021 (sample ≥ 50 women). Of the 64 included studies (13,257 women with BC), 58 were published since 2010. Women who were married, partnered, or in relationships represented 74.1% of the entire sample. Only a single study was conducted on women representing a sexual minority. We identified 22 assessment instruments and 40 sexual dysfunction (SdF) domains. The number of publications on SF in women with BC has increased in the last 10 years, but still remains low. Some groups of women are underrepresented, and some SdF domains are underdiagnosed, with the assessment instrument used affecting which domains are studied. Women with BC need to be better screened, as their quality of life (QoL) is affected by SdF.

Women's sexuality after breast cancer treatment

“…Влияние утомляемости на сексуальное функционирование выражено в трудностях поддерживать прежний темп и привычные позы для секса, что довольно часто приводит к отказу от сексуальной активности и изменению сексуальности. В доступных исследованиях упоминается влияние утомляемости на сексуальную активность в рамках физической вовлеченности в сексуальный акт [26]. Полученные в данном исследовании результаты оценки влияния гормональной терапии на изменение сексуальности подтверждаются ранее проведенными зарубежными исследованиями -гормональная терапия оказала негативное влияние на сексуальное здоровье исследуемых женщин в отношение физических факторов сексуального функционирования: сухости влагалища, снижения либидо, утомляемости -распространенными побочными эффектами во время лечения, которые могут длительно сохраняться и по завершению противоопухолевого лечения [27,28].…”

Protective factors for adverse childhood experiences: Scoping review and evidence gap map.

“…EGMs share some qualities with other approaches for synthesis and mapping evidence (e.g., evidence maps, scoping studies, systematic maps, rapid evidence assessments, and systematic reviews); however, EGMs bring together various features of other approaches that set them apart. EGMs were originally designed to evaluate interventions, but they have been applied more broadly to examine nonintervention research (Bragge et al, 2011; Jolley et al, 2022; Rodrigues-Machado et al, 2022). Overall, EGMs offer a visual depiction of existing evidence to highlight critical gaps in existing knowledge areas, augmenting traditional scoping reviews (Snilstveit et al, 2016).…”

Assessment of sexual function in postmenopausal breast cancer survivors

“… 6 Cancer has significant physical and psychological consequences, and BC survivors are more prone to sexual dysfunction compared with those without cancer. 8-11 Sexual function worsens with advancing menopause status 6 and the prevalence rates of sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women without cancer can range from 40% to 55%, 6 while the reported rates among postmenopausal women with BC reach up to 92%. 11 In this systematic review, the results were heterogeneous and with a small number of participants in most studies, and only 1 case-control study (women with and without BC).…”