Authors (including presenting author) :
Chan CSA(1), Tsoi YKV(1)
Affiliation :
(1) Department of Surgery, North District Hospital
Introduction :
Due to the early detection and advanced technology in treating breast cancer, survival rates of women with breast cancer are increasing. While the diagnosis, treatment, and survival of the disease receive significant attention, the impact of breast cancer on a patient's sexuality is often overlooked.
Objectives :
This study examined the sexual quality of life of breast cancer survivors and identified strategies to improve services related to sexuality.
Methodology :
From 2021 to 2023, a study was conducted at NTEC Breast Care Centre to investigate the sexual conditions of breast cancer patients. A total of 385 patients were recruited to complete questionnaires at the time of diagnosis and one year later. The number of sexual activities and the quality of sexual lives during the four weeks before completing the questionnaires were recorded. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the demographic data and the number of sexual activities of the participants. Sexual Quality of Life was assessed using the Sexual Quality of Life-Female (SQOL-F) questionnaire.
Result & Outcome :
The study results indicated a decrease in the frequency of sexual activity among patients. The number of patients reporting no sexual activity or less than once per month increased by 119% from diagnosis to the first treatment. Additionally, there was a 35.2% increase in the number of patients with no or less than once per month sexual activity one year after the initial interview.
The quality of life for patients declined, with the most significant reduction occurring during treatment. The mean score at the initial data collection was 81.85, which dropped to 76.43 after the first treatment. Although there was an improvement later (mean score at one year post-treatment being 77.11), it remained below the initial level of functionality and enjoyment. This decline impacted their marital relationships, self-esteem, and psychological well-being.
Our team at the New Era aims to integrate sex education, sexual counseling, and therapy into patient care provided by trained therapists in post-operative or post-treatment nurse clinics. In addition to conducting assessments in our nursing clinics, we will offer basic sex education focused on bodily changes following treatment and recovery, and strategies for addressing these changes in relation to sexuality. Additionally, we plan to collaborate with breast cancer survivor self-help groups to offer group education and exercises, with the goal of gradually assisting some patients through voluntary participation and self-referral.
In the foreseeable future, it is essential to advocate for health care workers to initiate dialogues with patients about these topics. There is a clear need to invest in supportive care interventions for those at risk, to enhance sexual well-being.
