Purpose
Little is known about sexual dysfunction and sexual distress in Chinese female breast cancer survivors (BCSs), and their associations with physical variables, psychological factors, body image, and sexual attitudes.
Methods
A cross-sectional study of 341 BCSs was performed with the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised (FSDS-R). Associations between physical variables, psychological factors, body image, sexual attitudes, sexual dysfunction, and sexual distress were evaluated using logistic regression, adjusted for confounding factors.
Results
We found that 75.37% and 18.48% of BCSs reported sexual dysfunction and sexual distress during the past month, respectively. Attitudes toward sexual behavior such as “sexual activity may impede disease recovery,” “sexual activity may cause cancer recurrence or metastasis,” and “sexual activity may weaken treatment effects” were significantly associated with an increased likelihood of reporting sexual dysfunction and sexual distress. Body image disruption such as “felt physically less attractive as a result of your disease or treatment” was significantly associated with the experience of sexual distress.
Conclusion
Sexual dysfunction and sexual distress are common issues in Chinese BCSs. Sexual misconception likely contributes to sexual dysfunction and sexual distress, and body image has a significantly negative association with sexual distress in BCSs. Interventions targeting sexual attitudes and body image might be important to address BCSs’ sexual issues and improve their overall sexual health.
