Faculty Collaboration Database

Sexual dysfunction and reproductive concerns in young women with breast cancer: Type, prevalence, and predictors of problems. Psychooncology 2018 Dec;27(12):2770-2777

Date

09/12/2018

Pubmed ID

30203884

Pubmed Central ID

PMC6585728

DOI

10.1002/pon.4886

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85053883520 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   125 Citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: A dearth of studies focusing on young women (<40 years) with breast cancer have hampered the understanding of the type, prevalence, and predictors of sexual dysfunction and reproductive concerns in this population.

METHODS: Data were collected from 181 women (response rate = 60%) diagnosed with breast cancer approximately 2 years previously (age 21-39) using the Swedish National Quality Registry for Breast Cancer and a survey including standardized measures of sexual dysfunction, reproductive concerns, body image, and health-related quality of life. Multivariable logistic binary regression analyses were used to identify predictors of sexual dysfunction and reproductive concerns.

RESULTS: Sexual dysfunction in at least one domain was reported by 68% of the women, and a high level of reproductive concerns in at least one dimension was reported by 58%. Model results showed that current endocrine treatment was a significant predictor of dysfunction related to lubrication (OR 3.8, 95% CI 1.2-12.1) and vaginal discomfort (OR 8.7, 95% CI 1.5-51.5). Negative body image was related to satisfaction with sex life (OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.0-1.2). A high level of reproductive concerns was predicted by a wish for (additional) children in the future (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.1-10.2) and by previous chemotherapy (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.1-5.9).

CONCLUSIONS: Sexual dysfunction and reproductive concerns are common in young women with breast cancer. Current endocrine treatment, previous chemotherapy, a negative body image, and a wish for children in the future predict higher level of problems.

Author List

Ljungman L, Ahlgren J, Petersson LM, Flynn KE, Weinfurt K, Gorman JR, Wettergren L, Lampic C

Author

Kathryn Eve Flynn PhD Vice Chair, Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Body Image
Breast Neoplasms
Cohort Studies
Female
Humans
Personal Satisfaction
Prevalence
Quality of Life
Sexual Behavior
Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological
Sweden
Young Adult