Sexual health after a breast cancer diagnosis in young women: clinical implications for patients and providers

Marsh, Sydney; Borges, Virginia F.; Coons, Helen L.; Afghahi, Anosheh

doi:10.1007/s10549-020-05880-3

Cited by 34 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…These results appear to have been veri ed by other studies in Asia and other countries in terms of the key determinants in uencing the QoL of women with major breast cancer surgeries from a long-term perspective [6,16,29,39,[47][48][49]72]. Additionally, women undergoing BC surgeries who received hormone therapy less than one year post-surgery positively related their long term QoL items to sexual activity due to balancing hormones and expressed gratitude for the ability to mitigate menopausal and vaginal symptoms, increase their BI and self-esteem, maintain their sexual desire, and continue interactive, friendly relationships (in the case of young BC survivors), all of which contribute to their long-term sexual health [20,42]. However, future studies need to assess the relationship between hormone therapy and sexual health from a QoL perspective in more detail.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dynamic Changes in Quality of Life, Psychological Status, and Body Image in Women With Different Types of Breast Cancer Surgery: 8-year Follow Up

K.M

Kukreti

et al. 2022

Preprint

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PurposeTo explore the dynamic changes in Quality of Life (QoL), anxiety/depression status, and body image (BI) of women who received different types of breast cancer (BC) surgery within an 8-years follow-up period.MethodsWomen with major BC surgeries were invited to complete the World Health Organization Quality of Life–Brief (WHOQOL-BREF), the European quality of life five dimensions questionnaire (EQ-5D), and a body image scale within 8 years of surgery. Kernel smoothing methods were applied to describe dynamic changes in QoL, anxiety/depression, and BI at different time points. Linear mixed effects models were constructed to identify the interaction between time, different types of surgery, and the determinants of QoL in these patients.ResultsA total of 1,803 women who had undergone a mastectomy, a modified radical mastectomy (MRM), and breast reconstruction (BR) were included. The BR group exhibited a high QoL score of WHOQOL one to five years after surgery with some fluctuations. The MRM group had comparatively stable, low QoL scores of WHOQOL items and less depressed/anxious. BR group generally showed fluctuated, lower scores of BI two years after operation, but they exhibited more anxiety/depression status after five years. Medical comorbidities, the status of anxiety/depression, and BI were the major factors influencing all domains and items of the WHOQOL BREF.ConclusionWhile MRM may decrease the likelihood of depression in patients with BC and BR would significantly improve their QoL in the first 5 years. We recommend that these findings should be considered and discussed in the patient participatory decision-making for breast surgery.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dynamic Changes in Quality of Life, Psychological Status, and Body Image in Women With Different Types of Breast Cancer Surgery: 8-year Follow Up

K.M

Kukreti

et al. 2022

Preprint

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“…6 Psychological and social stressors of breast cancer survivors include concern for disease recurrence, a changing body image, a decrease in social support network size, and sexual difficulties in relationships. [7][8][9][10] While QOL is lower in YBCS compared to older breast cancer survivors, the differing needs requirements for the younger cohort include greater concerns about self-esteem, future work opportunities, financial difficulties, concern for cancer recurrence, depressive symptoms, and fertility issues. 11,12 Differences in QOL are not only found in various age cohorts of breast cancer survivorship, but also in different races.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quality of Life Concerns of Young Breast Cancer Survivors in the U.S. Gulf States by Race at Treatment and One-year Post-treatment

et al. 2022

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Background: Young breast cancer survivors (YBCS) face greater needs than their older counterparts. These needs require characterization for success of breast cancer assistance programs because needs vary by survivor race and where they are in their survivorship journey. This study evaluated quality of life (QOL) for YBCS in three states with poorer survivorship outcomes and identified differences in QOL for white and African American (AA) YBCS.Methods: A survey identifying QOL needs was sent to YBCS in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. It assessed domains including relationships, women’s health, employment, fertility, and menopause. The survey was resent to participants after one-year completion of the first survey to identify QOL changes.Results: Overall, 371 baseline surveys and 127 follow-up surveys were collected. At baseline, AA YBCS faced more problems in five QOL domains and were less likely to have spoken with healthcare providers about genetic testing for breast cancer than white YBCS. After one year, all YBCS showed improvement in five different QOL domains, but indicated an increase in memory problems. Conclusion: Survey results reflect existing literature that AA YBCS face greater QOL issues as well as disparities in the provision of genetic counseling. Additionally, all YBCS require more counseling from providers related to various physical and psychological symptoms. This survey identified QOL deficiencies faced by YBCS and differences based on survivor race. Defining and understanding these features allows for the development of culturally appropriate programming for survivors, while adapting to YBCS’ QOL changes as they move further from treatment.

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“…As an essential indicator of sexual health, sexual satisfaction involves the patient's personal experience and the mutual satisfaction between intimate relationships [4]. Unlike other treatment-related adverse reactions, unresolved sexual problems usually persist or worsen if ignored [5,6]. Sexual health problems (e.g., decreased sexual desire, reduced sexual excitement and arousal, and vaginal dryness and pain) and negative body image after surgery often lead to a loss of sexual intimacy and avoidance of sexual scenes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Sexual health problems (e.g., decreased sexual desire, reduced sexual excitement and arousal, and vaginal dryness and pain) and negative body image after surgery often lead to a loss of sexual intimacy and avoidance of sexual scenes. Then, it will result in decreased sexual satisfaction [5,7,8]. Early sex education, pre-training rehabilitation programs, couples managing sexual change, and intimate relationships can improve the situation [9][10][11][12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, most research in this area has focused on the effects of treatment on the sexual health of breast cancer patients while ignoring the effects of proactive needs of partners on the sexual satisfaction of breast cancer patients. In addition to reduced sexual satisfaction, some people may stop having sex for good [5,6]. In an Australian study, 28 % of cancer survivors abstained from sex [13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sexual Inactivity and Sexual Dissatisfaction Among Breast Cancer Survivors and Their Partners

Zhang

et al. 2021

Preprint

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PurposeTo measure the sexual activity of breast cancer survivors and their partners to better understand the causes of sexual inactivity and sexual dissatisfaction in this population.MethodsWe investigated the proportion of sexual activity and sexual dissatisfaction in a cross‐sectional study and described their association with sexual health information sexual thoughts, socio‐demographic factors, body image, marital satisfaction, and mental health problems. We enrolled 438 eligible couples by convenient sampling. The statistical analysis and graphical work were completed using SPSS and Graphpad Prism.ResultsOf all participants, 58.66% (257/438) reported being sexually inactive. Of the 41.3% (181/438) sexually active participants, 96.7% (175/181) were considered to have sexual dysfunction. Patients’ sexual knowledge related to their disease, such as “sexual activity may impede disease recovery (AOR = 1.642; 95% CI: 1.119~2.409)”, “sexual activity may cause cancer recurrence or metastasis (AOR = 1.526; 95% CI: 1.012~2.302)”, “sexual activity could change the estrogen level and stimulate tumor growth (AOR = 1.585; 95% CI: 1.021~2.460)” were significantly associated with sexual inactivity. Psychological issues related to sexual activity, and hospital's sexual health resources, such as“anxiety (AOR = 2.141; 95% CI: 1.400~3.272)”, “depression (AOR =2.082; 95% CI: 1.317~3.293)”, “feeling less feminine as a result of your disease or treatment (AOR = 1.526; 95% CI: 1.012~2.302) ”, “dissatisfied with their physical appearance (AOR = 1.514; 95% CI: 1.010~2.271) ”, “medical providers provide information on sexual health (AOR = 4.459; 95% CI: 2.044~9.730) ”, “used sexual health aids (AOR = 1.514; 95% CI: 1.010~2.271) ” were significantly associated with sexual dissatisfaction. We also identified that the sexual demands of the partner led to increased sexual dissatisfaction among the survivors. ConclusionsMost Chinese breast cancer survivors were sexually inactive. Patients’ sexual knowledge related to their disease was the great barrier to sexual activity. Improving psychological problems associated with sexual activity and providing professional sexual health resources in hospitals can effectively improve sexual satisfaction among survivors. In addition, the impact of the partner's proactive needs on sexual satisfaction also needs to be considered when developing couples' therapy together.

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Sexual health after a breast cancer diagnosis in young women: clinical implications for patients and providers

Cited by 34 publications

References 55 publications

Dynamic Changes in Quality of Life, Psychological Status, and Body Image in Women With Different Types of Breast Cancer Surgery: 8-year Follow Up

Dynamic Changes in Quality of Life, Psychological Status, and Body Image in Women With Different Types of Breast Cancer Surgery: 8-year Follow Up

Quality of Life Concerns of Young Breast Cancer Survivors in the U.S. Gulf States by Race at Treatment and One-year Post-treatment

Sexual Inactivity and Sexual Dissatisfaction Among Breast Cancer Survivors and Their Partners

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