Breast cancer treatment and sexual dysfunction: Moroccan women's perception
2011

Breast Cancer Treatment and Sexual Dysfunction in Moroccan Women

Sample size: 120 publication Evidence: low

Author Information

Author(s): Sbitti Yassir, Kadiri Habiba, Essaidi Ismail, Fadoukhair Zouhour, Kharmoun Soussane, Slimani Khaoula, Ismaili Nabil, Ichou Mohammed, Errihani Hassan

Primary Institution: University Military Hospital of Instruction, Rabat, Morocco

Hypothesis

How does breast cancer treatment affect the body image and sexual functioning of Moroccan women?

Conclusion

Breast cancer and its treatment may result in significant difficulties with sexual functioning and sexual life.

Supporting Evidence

  • 100% of participants have never spoken with their doctor about sexual issues.
  • 84% of participants continued sexual activity after treatment, but many experienced sexual dysfunction.
  • 91.5% of subjects reported sexual dysfunctions were absent before diagnosis.

Takeaway

Women with breast cancer in Morocco often have problems with sex after treatment, and many don't talk to their doctors about it.

Methodology

A questionnaire was completed by 120 sexually active women with histology-proven breast cancer to assess body image and sexual problems after treatment.

Potential Biases

The sample may not be representative enough to generalize findings to a larger population.

Limitations

The study's sample was limited to breast cancer women and did not include healthy women for comparison.

Participant Demographics

{"mean_age_at_diagnosis":45.3,"age_range":"25-58","educational_level":{"illiterate":34,"elementary":16,"junior_college":37.5,"high_school":12.5},"marital_status":{"before":{"married":100,"divorced":0},"after":{"married":84,"divorced":16}},"stage_of_breast_cancer":{"localized":91.6,"metastasis":8.4},"financial_dependence":{"own_work":16,"partner":84}}

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1472-6874-11-29

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