Original Article · Originalarbeit

Sexual Dysfunction in Breast Cancer Survivors
D. Bukovic‘^a; J. Fajdic‘^b; Z. Hrgovic‘^c; M. Kaufmann^d; I. Hojsak^a; T. Stanceric‘^a

^aDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Center ‘Zagreb’, ^bDepartment of Surgery, General Hospital Poz?ega, ^cDepartment of Obstretrics and Gynecology, J.J. Strossmeyer University, Clinical Hospital Osijek, Croatia ^dDepartment of Gynecology and Obstretrics, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Onkologie 2005;28:29-34
(DOI: 10.1159/000082115)

  Summary

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine differences in body image and sexuality of breast cancer survivors, depending on treatment: radical mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery. Patients and Methods: A total of 206 patients treated for breast cancer between January 2001 and January 2004 were asked to fill in the questionnaire 1-5 years after treatment. Patients were divided into 2 groups. The first group consisted of 108 patients with advanced stages of breast cancer and who were treated with modified mastectomy with adjuvant chemo- or radiation therapy. The second group consisted of 98 patients with early stages of breast cancer who were treated with breast conserving surgery, lumpectomy and radiotherapy. Results: A significant number of patients in both groups was satisfied with their sexual life before treatment, 70.37 and 73.47% respectively, which is grossly reduced after treatment of breast cancer (56.48 and 50.00%, respectively, p > 0.05). Most of patients found their partner’s attitude towards them to be the same (31.48 and 45.92%), or even better (39.82 and 25.51%) after treatment, and they described them as very supportive and tender. In group 1, 58.33% of patients felt differences in their body image, in contrast to 44.90% in group 2. Similar proportions were observed in both groups for patients who felt mutilated (18.52 vs. 8.16%, p < 0.01). Conclusion: These findings confirm and extend previous reports of impaired sexual functioning among breast cancer survivors.

Copyright © 2005 S. Karger GmbH, Freiburg