NIMBI F.M. (2021). Sexuality in breast cancer survivors: sexual experiences, emotions, and cognitions in a group of women under hormonal therapy. Mediterranean Journal of Clinical Psychology 9(S2):26 https://doi.org/10.13129/2282-1619/mjcp-3224

Introduction: Earlier diagnosis and improved treatments have led to better outcomes and prolonged survivals in breast cancer, making quality of life a key issue. Sexuality represents a pillar of quality of life, although it is often neglected in cancer. The aim of the current study was to explore differences in mental health, sexual experience and related cognitive-emotional outcomes between breast cancer survivors under hormonal treatment and a matched control group.
Method: Seventy-nine women (ranged between 24-69 years) in hormonal therapy for breast cancer and 103 women extracted from a general population database completed a self-reported protocol exploring sexual functioning (FSFI) and distress (FSDS), psychopathological symptoms (SCL-90-R), emotions (PANAS, TAS-20), and cognition over sexuality (SMQ, SBDQ, and QCSASC).
Results: The current study showed an impaired sexuality in breast cancer patients compared to controls. Patients under hormonal treatment were characterized by diminished or absent sexual activity (chi2=36.16; p<.001), lower level of sexual functioning in all areas except for pain (F(1,180)=8.1; p<.01), higher sexual (F(1,180)=10.08; p<.001) and psychological distress (F(1,180)=6.23; p<.05), higher scores in Difficulties in Identifying Feelings (F(1,180)=7.31; p<.01) and Externally Oriented Thinking (F(1,180)=6.64; p<.05), higher level of negative emotions related to sexuality (F(1,180)=11.13; p<.001), and more rigid cognitions towards peculiar aspects of sexuality such as Failure Disengagement Thoughts (F(1,180)=22.01; p<.001) and Age related Beliefs (F(1,180)=5.7; p<.05).
Conclusion: Anticancer treatments often imply a tremendous toll on women, including early menopause induced by antioestrogens therapies. Healthcare providers should consider the sexual needs of their patients in their routine practice, striving to improve tailored treatments for breast cancer considering general and sexual health and being able to improve the quality of life.