Sexuality in women with breast cancer after treatment

Background: breast cancer is one of the most common cancer in women. Screening and treatments of breast cancer have led to increasing rate of survival. So pay attention to the quality of life of these patients is important. Sexual function is an important element of quality of life. Therefore the aim of this study was review the changes in sexual function in women with breast cancer after treatment. Methods: The following data sources were searched for relevant studies that were published in the English language by entering keywords Breast cancer , sexuality and Sexual functioning , between 1998 to 2014 Results: disturbances to sexual functioning reported following the diagnosis and treatment of breastcancer Include: dyspareunia, vaginal dryness, decreased libido and sexual arousal, difficulty achieving orgasm, decreased sexual activity, sexual dissatisfaction. Chemotherapy is associated with problem of arousal, lubrication, orgasm, vaginal dryness and dyspareunia. And evidence showed the negative relationship between sexual function and use of tamoxifen. Women treated with tamoxifen reported pain, burning or discomfort with intercourse, vaginal tightness, hot flashes and negative feelings during the sexual intercourse. Women who have had a mastectomy experience negative emotional changes such as negative body image, lack of attractiveness, loss of femininity and fertility, anxiety and depression, and that changes aggravated sexual problems. It should be noted that the factor predictive of sexual health in women after treatment is the quality of their relationship with the partner. Conclusions: Breast cancer can have an impact on woman’s sexuality, both psychologically and physically. Health care providers can play an important role in counseling and treatment patients with sexual problem.

کلیدواژه ها:

breast cancer ، sexual dysfunction ، treatment