Sexual Satisfaction and Function in Women With Breast Cancer After Mastectomy in Qom Province

Background and Aim: Breast cancer, as one of the most common cancers in women, profoundly affects various aspects of patients’ lives. Treatments for this cancer, especially mastectomy, can have significant consequences on women’s sexual function and quality of life (QoL). Given the increasing prevalence of breast cancer and the importance of maintaining sexual health as an integral part of QoL, a scientific study of this issue seems necessary. This study aimed to investigate the sexual satisfaction and function of women with breast cancer after mastectomy in Qom Province. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional analytic study was conducted in ۲۰۲۳-۲۰۲۴ on ۱۳۲ women with breast cancer (۶۶ mastectomized and ۶۶ non-mastectomized) referred to Shahid Beheshti and Forghani hospitals in Qom. Simple random sampling was performed, and data were collected using Larson sexual satisfaction questionnaire and female sexual function index (FSFI). Data analysis was conducted with SPSS software, version ۲۲ using independent t-tests and chi-square tests. Results: The mean score of sexual satisfaction (۸۲.۳ vs ۹۱.۶) and overall sexual function (۲۴.۷۸ vs ۲۸.۹۶) in mastectomized women was significantly lower than in the non-mastectomized group (P<۰.۰۵). Significant differences were observed in all dimensions of sexual function, including desire (۳.۹ vs ۵.۰۷), arousal (۴.۰۳ vs ۴.۸۵), lubrication (۴.۱ vs ۴.۷۲), and sexual satisfaction (۴.۱ vs ۴.۸۴) (all P<۰.۰۰۱), while there was no significant difference between the two groups in achieving orgasm (۴.۵۶ vs ۴.۶۴; P=۰.۶۲۳). Additionally, only a history of chemotherapy was significantly associated with mastectomy (P=۰.۰۲), while other demographic variables did not show any association with surgery (P=۰.۵۵). Conclusion: The findings indicated a negative impact of mastectomy on patients’ sexual health, highlighting the need for supportive and counseling interventions for this group of patients.

کلیدواژه ها:

Mastectomy ، Satisfaction ، Sexual function