Sexual Function of Breast Cancer Survivors and Healthy Women : A Comparative Study.
- Author:
Hye Young KIM
1
;
Hyang Sook SO
;
Myeong Jeong CHAE
Author Information
1. Department of Nursing, Chunnam Techno College, Gokseong, Korea.
- Publication Type:Comparative Study ; Original Article
- Keywords:
Sexual function;
Breast cancer survivors
- MeSH:
Breast;
Breast Neoplasms;
Counseling;
Female;
Humans;
Quality of Life;
Surveys and Questionnaires;
Recurrence;
Self-Help Groups;
Survivors
- From:Journal of Korean Oncology Nursing
2009;9(1):60-66
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyse the level of sexual function among breast cancer survivors as compared with that among healthy women. METHOD: A total of 208 women participated in this study: 103 breast cancer survivors attending self-help group and 105 community-residing healthy women in G city. A self-reported questionnaire with the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) was used to obtain data. Data were analyzed using the SPSS Win 14.0 K+ for descriptive statistics, t-test, and two-way ANOVA. RESULTS: The sexual function score of breast cancer survivors was significantly lower than that of healthy women, respectively 14.9+/-9.9 and 20.6+/-11.1 (p<0.001). The sexual function of recurrent breast cancer survivors was significantly lower than that of women without recurrence. However, there were no significant differences in the sexual function score according to the cancer stage, period since diagnosis, and types of cancer treatment modality. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate the importance of sex-related counseling and educational programs to improve the quality of life of breast cancer survivors.
