Sexual functioning after breast cancer
Information for nursing staff, 2025, 57(1), 29-34.
I. Ivanova1, S. Tsvetkova2, M. Kamburova3
1 Department of Medical oncology, UMHAT “Dr Georgi Stranski” – Pleven
2 Section “Preclinical and Clinical Sciences”, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University – Pleven
3 Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University – Pleven
Abstract. IIntroduction: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. Breast loss is about identity, sexuality and self-esteem. Sexual functioning is an important aspect of quality of life in breast cancer patients. Target: To analyze the results of the sexual functioning scale, side effects of drug treatment scale and symptoms from the side of the operated breast scale and discuss them together with some demographic data in patients with mammary gland carcinoma. Materials and Methods: The results of 240 women with breast cancer were processed. A standardized quality of life questionnaire QLQ-BR23 in breast carcinoma was used. Excel and SPSS program v26 were used for statistical analysis of the data. Results and Discussion: 32 (13%) of the respondents had no side effects from the treatment, 208 (87%) reported adverse reactions. 37 (15%) of the women had no problems with the operated breast, the remaining 203 (85%) had problems. 148 (62%) of the respondents had no interest in sex at all. The remaining 92 (38%) had varying degrees of interest. 72 (82%) of sexually active persons share about sexual satisfaction from sexual contacts, only 5 (6%) lack sexual pleasure. A negative correlation was found between patient age and interest in sex (r = -.303, p = .000). There is a very strong correlation between sexual activity and interest in sex (r = .932, p = .000), sexual satisfaction is also strongly related to interest (r= .758, p = .000). There is an inverse relationship between sexual pleasure and the question of how the patients feel during the treatment (r = -.404, p = .000). Pain in the area of the operated breast has a negative influence on the sexual satisfaction of the patients (r = -.423, p = .000). Conclusion: In women with breast cancer, disorders in sexual functioning related to the treatment and its side effects have been demonstrated. It is necessary to detect the sexual problems of the affected persons and search for effective methods of coping.
Key words: breast cancer, quality of life, sexual functioning