title: Body image and sexual function in women after treatment for anal and rectal cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Treatment for anal and rectal cancer (ARCa) often results in side effects that directly impact sexual functioning; however, ARCa survivors are an understudied group, and factors contributing to the sexual sequelae are not well understood. Body image problems are distressing and may further exacerbate sexual difficulties, particularly for women. This preliminary study sought to (1) describe body image problems, including sociodemographic and disease/treatment correlates, and (2) examine relations between body image and sexual function.
  
  
  METHODS
  For the baseline assessment of a larger study, 70 women completed the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire and Colorectal Cancer-specific Module, including the Body Image subscale, and Female Sexual Function Index. Pearson's correlation and multiple regression evaluated correlates of body image. Among sexually active women (n = 41), hierarchical regression examined relations between body image and sexual function domains.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Women were on average 55 years old (standard deviation = 11.6), non-Hispanic White (79%), married (57%), and employed (47%). The majority (86%) reported at least one body image problem. Younger age, lower global health status, and greater severity of symptoms related to poorer body image (p's < 0.05). Poor body image was inversely related to all aspects of sexual function (β range 0.50-0.70, p's < 0.05), except pain. The strongest association was with Female Sexual Function Index Sexual/Relationship Satisfaction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These preliminary findings suggest the importance of assessing body image as a potentially modifiable target to address sexual difficulties in this understudied group. Further longitudinal research is needed to inform the development and implementation of effective interventions to improve the sexual health and well-being of female ARCa survivors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Benedict
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Errol J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Philip
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Raymond E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Baser
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Jeanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Tammy A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Schuler
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai School, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Lina
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jandorf
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: DuHamel
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nelson
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001005:Anus Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D001828:Body Image / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008393:Marriage; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*