Prevalence and associated factors of sexual problems after early-stage breast cancer treatment: results of a French exploratory survey

• Published in: Psycho-oncology (Chichester, England) England), 2011-08, Vol.20 (8), p.841-850
• Main Authors: Brédart, Anne, Dolbeault, S., Savignoni, A., Besancenet, C., This, P., Giami, A., Michaels, S., Flahault, C., Falcou, M.-C., Asselain, B., Copel, L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; body image; Breast cancer; Breast Neoplasms - complications; Breast Neoplasms - psychology; Breast Neoplasms - therapy; Chi-Square Distribution; couple relationship; factors; Female; France - epidemiology; Humans; Logistic Models; Medical treatment; Middle Aged; Oncology; Prevalence; Psychological Tests; Quality of life; Risk Factors; Sexual behavior; Sexual Behavior - psychology; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological - epidemiology; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological - etiology; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological - psychology; Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological - epidemiology; Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological - etiology; Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological - psychology; sexual problems; Socioeconomic Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires; survivors; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1057-9249; 1099-1611
• DOI: 10.1002/pon.1789

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of sexual activity, sexual problems or sexual satisfaction in French early‐stage breast cancer survivors (BCS). Methods: Eight hundred and fifty eligible, post‐treatment (6 months–5 years) female patients, aged 18–70 years, randomly selected from a consultation list, were invited to fill in questionnaires exploring quality of life (EORTC QLQ‐C30 and QLQ‐BR23), body image scale, and sexuality (Sexual Activity Questionnaire–SAQ; Relationship and Sexuality Scale; French Sexual Behaviour Survey—CSF). Results: Fifty‐three percent of BCS agreed to participate. Participating women (n=378) were younger, more often premenopausal at diagnosis and with a more recent diagnosis than non‐respondents. The prevalence of sexual problems was significantly higher in BCS compared with adjusted data from a French female representative sample (p50 years), nausea, or insomnia (all Hosmer–Lemeshow tests: p=NS). Conclusions: Psychological factors including the perception of the couple relationship appeared prominent in BCS women's experience of sexual problems. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.