Sexual quality of life in women with breast cancer – Croatian sample — ASN Events
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Sexual quality of life in women with breast cancer – Croatian sample (#238)

Lovorka Brajkovic 1 , Marijana Bras 2 , Ivana Radic 3 , Veljko Djordjevic 2
  1. School of Medicine, Univ of Zagreb, Centre for palliative medicine, medical ethics and communication skills; Department of Psychiatry, Univ hospital centre, Zagreb, Croatia
  2. University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Centre for Palliative medicine, medical ethics and communication skills, Zagreb, Croatia
  3. Sirius-Centre for psychological counselling, research and education, Zagreb, Croatia

Sexual dysfunction encompasses a broad spectrum of issues, all of which are susceptible to insult after treatment for cancer. Sexual dysfunction affects up to 90% of women treated for breast cancer, and sexual quality of life is significant concern for breast cancer survivors. This study investigated sexual quality of life in 252 women with breast cancer, one year after diagnosis. Median age was 53. Sexual Quality of Life Questionnaire (SQoL), Female Sexual Functioning Index (FSFI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were used for this purpose. All women in our sample indicated disruption in their sexual functioning. Women who were in menopause had more lubrication difficulties [p=0.0023 95% CI (-1.537) – (-0.356)], difficulties to reach orgasm [p=0.045 95% CI (-1.247) – (-0.014)], had more pain during intercourse [p=0.002 95% CI (-1.656) – (-0.393)] and showed lower sexual quality of life [p=0.000 95% CI (-23,360) – (-7,967)]. There were no differences in desire and arousal [p=0.329 95%CI (-0.387) – (0.130); (p=0.078 95% CI (-1.080) - (0.058)]. Mastectomy had a statistical significant influence on all aspect of sexual functioning; women who had mastectomy showed lower desire and lower arousal [p=0.000 95%CI (-0.76280) – (-0.374); p=0.000 95% CI (-1.172) – (-0.337)]; showed more lubrication problems, orgasm and pain during intercourse problems [p=0.006 95% CI (-1.117) – (-0.186); p=0.020 95% CI (-1.005) – (-0.087); p=0.001 95% CI (-1.307) – (0.363)] and showed worse sexual quality of life [p=0.007 95% CI (-14.765) – (-2.410)]. Breast reconstruction after mastectomy, older age were associated with better sexual QoL (r=0.182; p=0.033). There were no significant correlation between stage of tumor, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and sexual QoL. Women who had more depressive and anxiety symptoms showed worse sexual QoL (r= -0.606, p=0.000; r= -0.683, p=0.000). These results add to growing evidence that sexual QOL is a multidimensional construct with aspects differentially affected by variables related to cancer survivorship.