Fragestellung:
This study investigates female sexual function in women with breast cancer. In this regard we describe the effects of different treatments (breast conserving surgery versus mastectomy) and different therapies (chemotherapy, endocrine therapy and no therapy) on female sexual function.
Methode:
A full sample size of one hundred and ninety five female breast cancer patients (N=195) receiving chemotherapy, endocrine therapy or no therapy and/or previously obtained chemotherapy, endocrine therapy or no therapy completed the FSFI-d (Female Sexual Function Index) questionnaire. In the current therapy group seven woman (n=7, 3.6%) received chemotherapy, one hundred and twelve (n=112, 57.4%) received endocrine therapy and seventy six (n=76, 39.0%) did not receive adjuvant therapy. In the previous therapy group forty five (n=45, 23.1%) received chemotherapy, sixty six (n=66, 33.8%) received endocrine therapy and fifty eight (n=58, 29.7%) did not receive adjuvant therapy. One hundred and fifty five (n=155, 79.5%) had breast conserving surgery and forty two (n=45, 21.5%) received mastectomy.
Ergebnisse:
All participants were diagnosed with female sexual dysfunction compared to Rosen's FSFI normal control. The full score of FSFI-d for all ages was 21.18±10.59. The total result of FSFI-d decreases from 24.15±10.51 in women between thirty three to forty four years of age, to 18.67±10.18 in women older than fifty nine years of age (p<0.05). Women obtaining current or previous chemotherapy scored poorest in comparison with the endocrine group (p<0.05). The biggest differences could be detected in women aged thirty three to forty four years of age and women older than fifty nine years of age in the domains of arousal (p<0.05), lubrication (p<0.05), orgasm (p<0.05).
Schlussfolgerung:
The results described above suggested that breast cancer survivors are at increased risk for female sexual dysfunction; women obtaining chemotherapy are especially at the highest risk.
