title: Investigating Sexual Function and Affecting Factors in Women with Breast Cancer in Iran.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Since the breast is strongly relevant to sexual desire, and physical and sexual attractiveness, the high prevalence of breast cancer (BC) in Iran and longterm survival of patients experiencing side effects means that measures to identify associated sexual problems are necessary. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess sexual function and affecting factors in women with BC.
  
  
  METHODS
  This crosssectional study was performed on 94 women with BC, referred to Imam Reza (AS) Hospital, Mashhad, Iran, in 2014. The data were collected through demographic and clinical questionnaires and also a sexual function questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 16.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The total score of women's sexual function was about 24.3±4.41. Of the total, 63 (71.3%) reported sexual dysfunction, for example reduced satisfaction or more pain. Age was the only significantly related factor.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Breast cancer can adversely affect women's sexual function and decrease quality of life. Thus, taking measures to overcome women's sexual problems are necessary.
authors: Department of Radiotherapy, Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Email : karimifz901@mums.ac.ir.
authors: Fatemeh Homaee
authors: FH
authors: Shandiz
authors: Fatemeh Zahra
authors: FZ
authors: Karimi
authors: Nafiseh
authors: N
authors: Rahimi
authors: Mahboubeh
authors: M
authors: Abdolahi
authors: Zahra Khosravi
authors: ZK
authors: Anbaran
authors: Mina
authors: M
authors: Ghasemi
authors: Seyed Reza
authors: SR
authors: Mazlom
authors: Aghileh Nasaghchi
authors: AN
authors: Kheirabadi
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires