Impact of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment on sexual dysfunction.

Abstract

125 Background: Sexual dysfunction is a common and under acknowledged disorder in women with breast cancer. Sexual dysfunction in this scenario may be related to multiple factors: psychological distress due to diagnosis, physical decline due to treatment, change in hormonal milieu and/or poor body image. Methods: We assessed the changes in sexual activity after breast cancer diagnosis and treatment in 45 women using an anonymous questionnaire. Data was analyzed via descriptive statistics and paired sample t-test. Results: The age of women in our study ranged between 33-73 years with an average age of 51.6 years. Most of the subjects (89%) had completed chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy however 52% were still on hormonal treatment. Women who were more sexually active prior to breast cancer diagnosis were more likely to experience sexual dysfunction (p = 0.001). Overall, 45% of the women with breast cancer experienced a decline in their sexual health. A greater decline occurred after breast cancer treatment (chemotherapy and/or hormonal therapy) than after diagnosis (p < 0.05). Fifty percent had a decrease in libido and sexual arousal, 40.5% had difficulty in reaching sexual orgasm, and 29% had dyspareunia. Sexual difficulties were addressed by the treating oncologist in 3 out of the 45 women. Conclusions: The data reveals that sexual dysfunction is prevalent in breast cancer survivors. Its onset in concomitance with the diagnosis of breast cancer reflects the psychosocial impact of such a diagnosis. The further decline in sexual health after treatment emphasizes the important adverse effects of chemotherapy and hormone therapy in terms of vaginal dryness, dysparunia and sexual well-being. Despite its prevalence, sexual dysfunction is not commonly addressed in women with breast cancer. [Table: see text]