title: [Exploratory study on related factors of sexual dysfunction among breast cancer patients].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the factors related to sexual dysfunction among breast cancer patients so as to improve the prevention and treatment of the disorder as well as the life quality of the patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-five breast cancer patients during the rehabilitation period were interviewed by questionnaire on the sexual function before and after treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Age and perception of sex were two important factors for the significant difference in the rate of sexual dysfunction among the patients. In the groups of 45-55 and 56-65 years, the rates of sexual dysfunction were 66.7% and 73.9%, respectively. Compared with the < 45-year group (33.3%), the findings were statistically significant (P < 0.01), and the difference was statistically significant between the incorrect perception group (70.3%) and the correct one (47.6%) (P < 0.05). Of all the factors analyzed in the research, the stage of cancer, treatment methods, vaginal dryness, decreased libido, dyspareunia and sex perception had significant correlation with newly developed sexual dysfunction (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The stage of cancer, treatment methods, sex perception, vaginal dryness et al had significant correlation with sexual dysfunction of breast cancer patients after treatment. To treat and prevent sexual dysfunction among breast cancer patients, oncology professionals should initiate communication about sexual difficulties, perform comprehensive assessments, and educate and counsel patients about the management of these difficulties.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Fuzhou General Hospital of Nanjing Command, PLA, Fuzhou, Fujian 350025, China.
authors.forename: Xuenong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Ouyang
authors.forename: Wenwu
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yonghai
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Peng
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*