Women's experiences of sexual functioning in the early weeks of breast cancer treatment

Abstract

This study describes women's sexual functioning in the early weeks of breast cancer treatment and the possible sexual changes that women may experience compared with pre-treatment functioning. Seventy-five patients filled out a questionnaire on sexual functioning and participated in a semi-structured interview on changes in sexual life and intimacy after treatment. Sixty-two women were sexually active before treatment; three post-treatment patterns of sexual behaviour were identified: 22.6% of these women were as active as before treatment, 35.5% stopped any sexual activity and 41.9% experienced quantitative and qualitative changes. Analyses showed that each pattern had specific characteristics regarding current sexual functioning, the kinds of changes reported (e.g. decreased frequency and increased tenderness) and the reasons for these changes (e.g. tiredness and sex not a priority). Even in the immediate post-surgical period, women may react in very different ways to treatment in terms of sexual functioning. Most women experience changes, but cessation of sexual activity is not inevitable. Positive changes (growing tenderness and affection) also exist. These important interindividual differences require a person-centred approach when the topic of sexuality is being addressed, and practitioners need to be sensitive to individual perceptions of change. Early detection of sexual changes may prevent the crystallisation of difficulties over time. K E Y W O R D Sbreast cancer, early detection, mixed methods, quantitative and qualitative change, sexual functioning

Sexual dysfunction in Spanish women with breast cancer

“…After cancer, the majority of women in this study (70.2%) confirmed that they continued to have sexual activity, with is consistent with the literature [14, 15, 16]. Although the frequency of sexual relations is lower after cancer, 60.7% reported that they have sexual relationships 1–2 times per month [5, 9, 12, 16].…”

Qualitative exploration of sexual life among breast cancer survivors at reproductive age

“…In addition, association between the loss of sexual desire and satisfaction with mastectomy due to BC was depicted by Turkish women with BC through a cross-sectional study by Özturk and Akyolcu [ 30 ]. Cairo Notari et al, in a qualitative study of the French women's experiences of sexual functioning in the early weeks of BC treatments showed that most women experienced a lack of sexual desire [ 31 ]. Moreover, the results of a systematic review demonstrated that women with BC experienced some degrees of sexual issues including decreased sexual arousal, orgasm, libido, and sexual pleasure [ 32 ].…”

Coping Strategies for Sexual Problems and Sexual Dysfunction Amongst Malay Women With Breast Cancer. A Qualitative Study

“… 11 , 12 Negative emotional effects, including depression and anxiety, have also been associated with these changes. 13 It is noteworthy that, despite major sexual changes, the impact of these changes on the quality of patients’ relationships may vary: Some women report persistent sexual problems that lead to complicated sexual activities and marital conflict, 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 while a few describe positive increases in non-intercourse intimacy and manage to restore satisfactory sexual relationships after their diagnoses. 7 , 14 , 15 , 16 …”