Breast Cancer Patients’ Experience and Wishes Regarding Communication on Sexual Health: The BEROSE Study

Abstract

Purpose: Although sexual health (SH) is a major concern for many patients with breast cancer (BC), only few of them receive adequate information on this topic throughout their whole care pathway. BEROSE is a single-center pilot cross-sectional observational study, which aimed at evaluating communication on SH between women with BC and their health-care providers.Methods: From June 12th to July 31st, 2020, a survey was distributed to patients consulting at Breast Cancer Unit of Gustave Roussy Cancer Center. The primary endpoint was the rate of women reporting to have received information on SH from health professionals throughout active treatment administration or BC follow-up.Results: Of 348 surveys collected, 318 were fully completed and included in the analysis. Sixty-one percent of women were older than 50 years and 65% had a localized BC. The majority (63%) was receiving hormone-therapy (37%) or chemotherapy (26%). Overall, 65% reported that they had not received any information about SH throughout their care, while 69% felt it would have been important to discuss sexual issues. For 31% of women, professionals, preferably oncologists or gynecologists, should have initiated the discussion on SH, during an in-person consultation. Concerning satisfaction on SH, 83% reported being satis ed or very satis ed before BC diagnosis, and only 30% at the time they completed the survey.Conclusion: Most of women undergoing treatment or follow-up for BC feel that they lack of adequate information regarding sexual issues associated to BC. The impact of BC diagnosis and treatment on SH should be discussed with all women from the rst visit and then regularly readdressed.

Investigating sexual health after breast cancer by longitudinal assessment of patient-reported outcomes

“…Remarkably, our data document the gap between reported sexual concerns and supportive care use, suggesting that this is a largely unaddressed concern. 5 , 35 , 36 , 37 Our results likely reflect known barriers to optimal management of sexual health, mainly lack of patient and physician empowerment and knowledge on sexual health and unavailability or uncoordinated referral processes for multidisciplinary supportive care strategies.…”

“… 5 , 27 , 38 Clinicians have often reported feeling unprepared, having limited time, or facing gender and cultural concerns about ‘offending’ the patient when speaking about sexual health. 35 , 36 , 37 In addition, a lack of available resources, funding, and reimbursement for sexual health professionals in cancer centers has been reported. 39 As a result, it is estimated that fewer than half of women with BC receive any communication on sexual health over their cancer care journey.…”

“… 39 As a result, it is estimated that fewer than half of women with BC receive any communication on sexual health over their cancer care journey. 35 , 36 , 37 …”

Breast Cancer Survivors with Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause Receiving Aromatase Inhibitors Are Willing to Sexual Assessment: Is a Dyspareunia Approach Enough?

“…Broad literature has been published about sexual issues among BCSs and their interest on sexual health care. In a recent French cross-sectional observational study [22], the authors underlined that all patients, regardless of age, BC stage, and ongoing treatment, are concerned about the possible impact of BC treatments on sexual function and are interested in maintaining a good sex life. A systematic review [23], carried out to investigate facilitators to seeking help in BCS with sexual problems, found women who suggested easier access to sexual health services, more open provider-initiated discussions, and more easily accessible information for patients and their partners.…”

A guide for addressing sexual health in breast cancer patients

“…Up to 85% of breast cancer patients report having sexual health concerns, including lack of sexual desire and interest, difficulty achieving orgasm, and pain during intercourse 1,6 . During breast cancer treatment, only about 7% of breast cancer patients do not experience a decrease in their sexual health, highlighting the need for breast cancer patients to receive information regarding the effect of treatments on their sexual health 7–9 …”