A neglected issue on sexual well-being following breast cancer diagnosis and treatment among Chinese women.
BACKGROUND: Changes to sexual well-being can be one of the most problematic quality of life issues following the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate changes to sexual well-being following breast cancer, to expand upon the existing body of kn...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2013-01-01
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| Series: | PLoS ONE |
| Online Access: | http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3783444?pdf=render |
| _version_ | 1819080935061061632 |
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| author | Fengliang Wang Fei Chen Xiqian Huo Ruobing Xu Liang Wu Jianming Wang Cheng Lu |
| author_facet | Fengliang Wang Fei Chen Xiqian Huo Ruobing Xu Liang Wu Jianming Wang Cheng Lu |
| author_sort | Fengliang Wang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BACKGROUND: Changes to sexual well-being can be one of the most problematic quality of life issues following the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate changes to sexual well-being following breast cancer, to expand upon the existing body of knowledge pertaining to breast cancer and sexuality, and to provide the necessary information for implementing future interventions that may help improve the quality of life in breast cancer patients. METHODS: This study was mixed with qualitative and quantitative designs. Twenty patients with breast cancer were recruited for in-depth interviews. The central questions covered a patient's cancer experience and perceptions of sexual activities following breast cancer. According to the findings of the qualitative study, we performed a quantitative study using a structured questionnaire to collect data on patient's experience and attitude to sexual well-being following breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. RESULTS: Based on the qualitative analysis, seven main themes emerged: (1) Decrease in sexual frequency; (2) Lack of sexual interest; (3) Menopausal symptoms; (4) Body image changes; (5) Effects on marital relationship; (6) Misconceptions about sex; (7) The need for professional consultation. Results from the quantitative study further supported the findings from the qualitative analysis, where changes to sexual well-being were common following cancer diagnosis and treatment and it was a neglected issue among Chinese women. CONCLUSIONS: The present study highlights the significant changes to sexual well-being following breast cancer, in addition to the lack of knowledge and misconceptions of sexual activity among patients. Addressing these problems will help improve a patient's quality of life. The findings of this study could help healthcare professionals recognize the sexual issues faced by women with breast cancer and ultimately promote a healthy life. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-21T19:52:47Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4f426fc30a1f49e09910fb520e9e6a28 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1932-6203 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-21T19:52:47Z |
| publishDate | 2013-01-01 |
| publisher | Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PLoS ONE |
| spelling | doaj.art-4f426fc30a1f49e09910fb520e9e6a282022-12-21T18:52:10ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032013-01-0189e7447310.1371/journal.pone.0074473A neglected issue on sexual well-being following breast cancer diagnosis and treatment among Chinese women.Fengliang WangFei ChenXiqian HuoRuobing XuLiang WuJianming WangCheng LuBACKGROUND: Changes to sexual well-being can be one of the most problematic quality of life issues following the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate changes to sexual well-being following breast cancer, to expand upon the existing body of knowledge pertaining to breast cancer and sexuality, and to provide the necessary information for implementing future interventions that may help improve the quality of life in breast cancer patients. METHODS: This study was mixed with qualitative and quantitative designs. Twenty patients with breast cancer were recruited for in-depth interviews. The central questions covered a patient's cancer experience and perceptions of sexual activities following breast cancer. According to the findings of the qualitative study, we performed a quantitative study using a structured questionnaire to collect data on patient's experience and attitude to sexual well-being following breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. RESULTS: Based on the qualitative analysis, seven main themes emerged: (1) Decrease in sexual frequency; (2) Lack of sexual interest; (3) Menopausal symptoms; (4) Body image changes; (5) Effects on marital relationship; (6) Misconceptions about sex; (7) The need for professional consultation. Results from the quantitative study further supported the findings from the qualitative analysis, where changes to sexual well-being were common following cancer diagnosis and treatment and it was a neglected issue among Chinese women. CONCLUSIONS: The present study highlights the significant changes to sexual well-being following breast cancer, in addition to the lack of knowledge and misconceptions of sexual activity among patients. Addressing these problems will help improve a patient's quality of life. The findings of this study could help healthcare professionals recognize the sexual issues faced by women with breast cancer and ultimately promote a healthy life.http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3783444?pdf=render |
| spellingShingle | Fengliang Wang Fei Chen Xiqian Huo Ruobing Xu Liang Wu Jianming Wang Cheng Lu A neglected issue on sexual well-being following breast cancer diagnosis and treatment among Chinese women. PLoS ONE |
| title | A neglected issue on sexual well-being following breast cancer diagnosis and treatment among Chinese women. |
| title_full | A neglected issue on sexual well-being following breast cancer diagnosis and treatment among Chinese women. |
| title_fullStr | A neglected issue on sexual well-being following breast cancer diagnosis and treatment among Chinese women. |
| title_full_unstemmed | A neglected issue on sexual well-being following breast cancer diagnosis and treatment among Chinese women. |
| title_short | A neglected issue on sexual well-being following breast cancer diagnosis and treatment among Chinese women. |
| title_sort | neglected issue on sexual well being following breast cancer diagnosis and treatment among chinese women |
| url | http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3783444?pdf=render |
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