Objective: To assess the pattern of sexual performance in women treated for breast cancer. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study on women treated for breast cancer. Inclusion criteria: to have undergone the first-line therapy for cancer and the cancer not being classified as stage IV. Data on cancer were collected by the analysis of medical records. For the evaluation of sexual performance, women were submitted to individual interviews, with the application of the Quociente Sexual – Versão Feminina (QS F) questionnaire. Sexual performance was classified as: bad, unfavorable, regular, good, and excellent. The diagnosis of sexual dysfunction was established to women with score ≤ 60. For descriptive analyses, absolute (n) and relative (%) frequencies were performed, and for the comparison between the quantitative variables the Student’s t-test was used. Results: 31 women with a mean age of 55.2 years were included, 35% were classified as clinical stage II, 84% underwent conservative surgery, 65% underwent chemotherapy, and 80% used endocrinotherapy. Regarding sexual performance, 62% spontaneously think about sex, 35% are always interested in sex, and 51.7% have some degree of pain during intercourse. After calculating the score, it was concluded that 6.5% had bad sexual performance; 19.4%, unfavorable; 19.4%, regular; 41.9%, good; and 12.8%, excellent. The mean score was 58.7 points (standard deviation = 21.4, median of 64, minimum of 16, and maximum of 90 points), and 45.2% of women were diagnosed with sexual dysfunction. The provided treatments and the length of follow-up did not have a significant correlation with sexual performance. Conclusion: Most women treated for breast cancer had sexual performance classified as “good and excellent,” although a significant percentage had a diagnosis of sexual dysfunction.
Objective: To assess the sexual performance (SP) pattern in women treated for breast cancer (BC). Methods: Cross-sectional study with 33 women treated for BC. We included women aged between 35 and 66 years, with histopathological diagnosis of breast cancer, who already concluded the initial oncological treatment (surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy), in stage IV, assisted in the Unified Health System. They signed the informed consent form. Oncological data, such as staging, type of surgery, type of adjuvant treatment and follow-up time were collected through the analysis of medical records. The women were submitted to individual interview to assess SP, and the Female Sexual Quotient (FSQ) questionnaire was applied. The FSQ is formed by 10 objective questions that score from 0 to 5 points according to the answer: never, infrequently or rarely, sometimes, nearly 50% of the time, most of the time, always. The final score is defined by the sum of points multiplied by 2, and the SP is classified as: poor (0-20), unfavorable (22-40), fair (42-60), good (62-80), and excellent (82-100). Mean/standard deviation and percentage rates were used for statistical analysis. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee, Plataforma Brasil/CAAE: 02241618.1.0000.5381. Results: The mean age and oncological follow-up were 55±11 years and 4.5±2 years, respectively. The most prevalent oncological data were: 35% were in stage 2; 84% were submitted to conserving surgery; 95%, to radiotherapy; 65% underwent chemotherapy; and 80% were on endocrine therapy. Regarding sexual performance, 62% spontaneously think about sex; 35% are always interested in sex; and 54% are always stimulated by the “foreplay”. During the sexual relation, 32% always get lubricated; 45% become more stimulated when the partner is aroused; 45% always relax their vagina appropriately; 45% never feel pain; 52% always get involved without distraction; 51% always reach orgasm; and 42% always wish to repeat sexual relations in the following days. After calculating the final score, the conclusion was that 6% have poor sexual performance; 20%, unfavorable; 20%, fair; 38%, good; and 16%, excellent. Conclusion: Most women treated for breast cancer present with sexual performance classified between good and excellent, according to the Female Sexual Quotient.
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