The sex life of women surviving breast cancer

Abstract

The diagnosis of breast cancer elicits diverse emotional responses in patients and partners. Surviving cancer has raised new needs and caretakers must understand the medical and psychological latent effects of oncology therapy. Improving patients' well-being is crucial as 19 million survivors are expected in the next decade in the United States alone. In general, sexuality contributes to one's well-being but when it is disrupted by the occurrence of cancer, women withdraw emotionally, no longer feel desirable due to esthetic damage, and become overwhelmed by the thought of sex. Alopecia and mastectomy elicit feelings of unattractiveness affecting even some women with nipple sparing mastectomy. Couples who share the psychological distress of experiencing cancer should be logically included in survivorship interventions. Hence, any support offered to the couple improves their ability to cope significantly. Treatments causing premature ovarian failure as well as adjuvant endocrine treatments deepen the effects of hypo-estrogenism on the genital modifications of arousal. Sexual rehabilitation with vaginal dilators and sensate focus exercises help to lessen pain, and reduce the couple's anxiety toward sex. In conclusion, caregivers must realize that surviving women are often reluctant to voice their needs, thus, efficient interventions must be available to everyone.

Depression and marital satisfaction: the mediating role of sexual satisfaction and perceived partner acceptance in women after mastectomy

“…Our results are in line with the almost universally perceived need to explore the intimate life of female cancer survivors (Gilbert et al, 2010a;Ghizzani, Bruni, & Luisi, 2018). It is a very important sphere of functioning that affects an individual's quality of life and the quality of the intimate relationship (Ghizzani et al, 2018). Breast cancer is, on the one hand, an individual disease, but on the other hand, it is a disease of the dyad (Zahlis & Lewis, 2010).…”

“…Emotional support from the partner is undoubtedly associated with better sexual functioning of women with breast cancer in the post-operative period and, as research shows, it is a strong predictor of satisfaction from the relationship and sexual well-being (Kinsinger et al, 2011). Our results are in line with the almost universally perceived need to explore the intimate life of female cancer survivors (Gilbert et al, 2010a;Ghizzani, Bruni, & Luisi, 2018). It is a very important sphere of functioning that affects an individual's quality of life and the quality of the intimate relationship (Ghizzani et al, 2018).…”

“…And while the most important thing during intensive cancer treatment is to secure the woman's survival (and sex is not a priority), when time passes, sexuality and intimacy become more important both in the life of the woman and the couple (Ghizzani et al, 2018). The quality of the relationship is closely related to the quality of woman's sexual functioning and her sexual satisfaction (Gilbert et al, 2010a).…”

“…In our research, we have demonstrated a positive relationship between women's sexual satisfaction and their overall satisfaction with the relationship. And although many researchers emphasize the fact that breast cancer treatment increases the risk of sexual dysfunction and decrease in interest and sexual desire in women (Ghizzani et al, 2018), there are also more optimistic reports. One of the studies showed that patients examined 12 months after surgery were generally happy with their relationships and sexually well adjusted, with the partner's emotional support after the surgery playing a crucial role (Kinsinger et al, 2011).…”

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

“…This suggests that not only the BC survivors but also their partners could benefit from sexual counseling [10,24]. As cancer treatments advance and patients live longer, it is relevant to treat the impacts of BC with evidence-based interventions [37,38]. As emphasized by Ghizzani et al (2018), "Cancer survival has raised new needs, and caretakers have to understand the latent effects of the disease and its treatments" [37].…”