Sexual Dysfunction in Breast Cancer: A Case-Control Study

Background: Sexual dysfunction in breast cancer patients is considered as acommon and distressing problem. Considering the increasing number of breastcancer survivors living for longer periods of time with the disease and theimportance of their quality of life, we conducted the present study to compare thesexual functioning in breast cancer patients with their healthy counterparts.Methods: In this case-control study, breast cancer patients who completed theirtreatment protocol and were followed up for at least six months were included. Thecontrols were healthy women with normal clinical breast examinations. All subjectsfilled-in the Persian version of Female Sexual Function Index questionnaire.Results: A total of ۱۶۵ subjects including ۷۱ breast cancer patients and ۹۴healthy women were studied. The frequency of sexual dysfunction in cases andcontrols was ۵۲.۶% and ۴۷.۴%, respectively (P = ۰.۰۹). There were no significantdifferences between the two groups regarding domain scores, except for vaginallubrication (P = ۰.۰۴۵). Logistic regression analysis indicated that significantdeterminants of sexual dysfunction in breast cancer group was patients' age (OR =۴.۰, ۹۵%CI: ۱.۳ – ۱۱.۵, P = ۰.۰۱) and age of the spouse (OR= ۹.۸, ۹۵% CI: ۱.۸-۵۱.۹,P= ۰.۰۰۷), while in controls, only emotional relationship with the husband was thesignificant predictive factor (OR = ۶.۳, ۹۵%CI: ۱.۹ – ۲۰.۵, P= ۰.۰۰۲).Conclusions: Our findings indicated that sexual dysfunction is prevalent inIranian women regardless of their physical health status. The frequency of vaginaldryness in breast cancer patients was significantly higher than controls. Age of thepatient and the spouse (>۴۰) were the only significant predictors of sexualdysfunction among women with breast cancer. Preventive strategies, sexualeducation and access to effective treatment should be planned in supportive care ofbreast cancer patients.

Keywords:

Breast cancer , sexual function , Iran