Prevalence and associated factors of sexual problems after early-stage breast cancer treatment: results of a French exploratory survey.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of sexual activity, sexual problems or sexual satisfaction in French early-stage breast cancer survivors (BCS).


METHODS
Eight hundred and fifty eligible, post-treatment (6 months-5 years) female patients, aged 18-70 years, randomly selected from a consultation list, were invited to fill in questionnaires exploring quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23), body image scale, and sexuality (Sexual Activity Questionnaire-SAQ; Relationship and Sexuality Scale; French Sexual Behaviour Survey-CSF).


RESULTS
Fifty-three percent of BCS agreed to participate. Participating women (n=378) were younger, more often premenopausal at diagnosis and with a more recent diagnosis than non-respondents. The prevalence of sexual problems was significantly higher in BCS compared with adjusted data from a French female representative sample (p<0.0001). In logistic regression, no sexual activity (R(2) =0.37) or sexual dissatisfaction (R(2) =0.28) were associated with the feeling of emotional separation in the couple or of partner's fear of sexual intercourse, lower emotional functioning, poorer body image, or co-morbidities. In sexually active women (71% of respondents), lower frequency of sexual activity (R(2) =0.26), lower sexual pleasure (R(2) =0.22), or higher sexual discomfort (R(2) =0.22) were associated with the feeling of emotional separation in the couple or of partner's fear of sexual intercourse, lower emotional functioning, age (>50 years), nausea, or insomnia (all Hosmer-Lemeshow tests: p=NS).


CONCLUSIONS
Psychological factors including the perception of the couple relationship appeared prominent in BCS women's experience of sexual problems.
Brédart
Anne
A
Psycho-Oncology Unit, Supportive Care Department, Institut Curie, Paris, France. anne.bredart@curie.net
Dolbeault
S
S
Savignoni
A
A
Besancenet
C
C
This
P
P
Giami
A
A
Michaels
S
S
Flahault
C
C
Falcou
M-C
MC
Asselain
B
B
Copel
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult