title: Sexual functioning in women after mastectomy versus breast conserving therapy for early-stage breast cancer: a prospective controlled study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Breast cancer (BC) and/or its treatments may affect sexual functioning based on physiological and psychosocial mechanisms. The aim of this study was to prospectively investigate sexual adjustment of BC patients during a follow-up period of one year after mastectomy (ME) or breast conserving therapy (BCT).
  
  
  METHODS
  In this prospective controlled study, women with BC and an age-matched control group of healthy women completed the Beck Depression Inventory Scale, World Health Organization 5 Well-being scale, Body Image Scale, EORTC QLQ questionnaire, Dyadic Adjustment Scale, Short Sexual Functioning Scale and Specific Sexual Problems Questionnaire to assess various aspects of sexual and psychosocial functioning before surgery, six months and one year after surgical treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 149 women with BC and 149 age-matched healthy controls completed the survey. Compared to the situation before surgery, significantly more BCT women reported problems with sexual arousal six months after surgery and significantly more women of the ME group reported problems with sexual desire, arousal and the ability to achieve an orgasm six months and one year after surgery. While in comparison with healthy controls, no significant differences in sexual functioning were found after BCT surgery, significantly more women who underwent ME reported problems with sexual desire, arousal, the ability to achieve an orgasm and intensity of the orgasm.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although little differences were seen in sexual functioning in the BCT group during prospective analyses and in comparison with healthy controls, analyses revealed that women who underwent a ME were at risk for post-operative sexual dysfunctions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. Electronic address: aertsleen55@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Aerts
authors.affiliation: Multidisciplinary Breast Centre, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. Electronic address: marie-rose.christiaens@uzleuven.be.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Christiaens
authors.affiliation: Centre for Clinical Sexology and Sex therapy, University Psychiatric Centre KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Department of Neurosciences, Institute for Family and Sexuality Studies, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. Electronic address: paul.enzlin@uzleuven.be.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Enzlin
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. Electronic address: patrick.neven@uzleuven.be.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Neven
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Multidisciplinary Breast Centre, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. Electronic address: frederic.amant@uzleuven.be.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Amant
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001828:Body Image; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery; D002285:Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery; D018275:Carcinoma, Lobular / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008408:Mastectomy; D015412:Mastectomy, Segmental; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Breast cancer; Breast conserving therapy; Female sexual dysfunction; Mastectomy; Quality of life; Sexual function