Sexuality after breast cancer: cultural specificities of Tunisian population

Abstract

IntroductionWomen’s sexuality may be particularly affected after breast cancer. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the changes in sexual life after treatment of breast cancer in Tunisian women and to identify the influence of demographic and clinical factors on sexuality.MethodsWe recruited 50 patients who were in remission for at least 3 months after initial treatment of breast cancer. Sexuality and body image were evaluated using the Arabic version of the specific scale of breast cancer QLQ-BR23. Screening for emotional disorders has been done with the Arabic version of HAD scale (Hospital anxiety and depression scale).ResultsPatients had poor sexual functioning and sexual satisfaction and the mean scores were respectively 45.3% and 43.9%. Only menopausal status and sexual difficulties in the partner was significantly related to poorer sexual satisfaction (p respectively 0.018 and 0.014). According to the HAD scale, 42% of patients had anxiety and 44% had depression. The sexual satisfaction was statistically associated with the presence of anxiety symptoms (p=0.0003).ConclusionResults suggest that the psychological side and the sexual difficulties in partner are the most important factors that appear to be involved in sexual satisfaction of Tunisian women after breast cancer. So, those factors need to be taken into account in therapeutic process and psychological counseling to maintain and enhance patient’s psychological well-being.

Sexual health and impact of treatments on Colombian women with breast cancer and their sex partners

“…The findings regarding optimal sexual health not reached in the women participating in our study (median = 2.34/5) are similar to those reported by Syrjala et al (28). Similarly, studies conducted in the United States, Tunisia, and Austria also coincide with the presence in their results of changes in its participants' sexual activity, like decreased sexual interest, arousal, orgasm, and sexual satisfaction, as well as problems in sexual functioning and appearance of vaginal dryness and vaginal pain (2,29,30,31).…”

Qualitative exploration of sexual life among breast cancer survivors at reproductive age

“…For instance, Wang et al, showed that almost all patients reported a significant reduction in the frequency of sexual activities [21]. Moreover, Leila et al 's study on fifty Tunisian women with BC reported that more than half of them after cancer experienced a reduction in the frequency of sexual intercourses and reported sexual satisfaction [33]. A systematic review by Chang et al, demonstrated a reduced frequency of sexual relationships in women with BC after treatment [15].…”

Medical and Psychosocial Challenges Associated with Breast Cancer Survivorship

“…About 81% of them showed less sexual sense/desire and 43% of them presented with dyspareunia. Furthermore, 42% of them had anxiety and 44% had depression which was significantly associated with body image (p<0.05) [25].…”

“…It also affected the sex life of their partners [9]. As young breast cancer patients are more sexually active, lack of sexuality plays an important role [25]. The intrapsychic capacity of females changes due to a sexual dysfunction that involves negative body image, fear of fertility loss, loss of femininity, absence of sexual interest, and shifts to a sense of sexual self [25].…”

“…As young breast cancer patients are more sexually active, lack of sexuality plays an important role [25]. The intrapsychic capacity of females changes due to a sexual dysfunction that involves negative body image, fear of fertility loss, loss of femininity, absence of sexual interest, and shifts to a sense of sexual self [25]. In the present study, the majority of the breast cancer survivors lack their interest in sex due to sexual dysfunction and it was prevalent among age groups less than 45 years (p<0.05).…”