U Boehmer1, A Timm2, A Ozonoff2, J Potter3. 1. Departments of Community Health Sciences, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston. Electronic address: boehmer@bu.edu. 2. Departments of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston. 3. Division of General Medicine and Primary Care, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The sexual function of sexual minority women (women with female partners) who are breast cancer survivors is mostly unknown. Our objective is to identify explanatory factors of sexual function among sexual minority women with breast cancer and compare them with a control sample of sexual minority women without cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Using a conceptual framework that has previously been applied to heterosexual breast cancer survivors, we assessed the relationship of each explanatory factor to sexual function in sexual minority women. Using generalized estimating equations, we identified explanatory factors of sexual function and identified differences by case and control status. RESULTS: Self-perception of greater sexual attractiveness and worse urogenital menopausal symptoms explain 44% of sexual function, after controlling for case and control status. Focusing only on partnered women, 45% of sexual function was explained by greater sexual attractiveness, postmenopausal status, and greater dyadic cohesion. CONCLUSIONS: All of the relevant explanatory factors for sexual function among sexual minority survivors are modifiable as has been suggested for heterosexual survivors. Sexual minority survivors differ from heterosexual survivors in that health-related quality of life is less important as an explanatory factor. These findings can guide adaptation of interventions for sexual minority survivors.
BACKGROUND: The sexual function of sexual minority women (women with female partners) who are breast cancer survivors is mostly unknown. Our objective is to identify explanatory factors of sexual function among sexual minority women with breast cancer and compare them with a control sample of sexual minority women without cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Using a conceptual framework that has previously been applied to heterosexual breast cancer survivors, we assessed the relationship of each explanatory factor to sexual function in sexual minority women. Using generalized estimating equations, we identified explanatory factors of sexual function and identified differences by case and control status. RESULTS: Self-perception of greater sexual attractiveness and worse urogenital menopausal symptoms explain 44% of sexual function, after controlling for case and control status. Focusing only on partnered women, 45% of sexual function was explained by greater sexual attractiveness, postmenopausal status, and greater dyadic cohesion. CONCLUSIONS: All of the relevant explanatory factors for sexual function among sexual minority survivors are modifiable as has been suggested for heterosexual survivors. Sexual minority survivors differ from heterosexual survivors in that health-related quality of life is less important as an explanatory factor. These findings can guide adaptation of interventions for sexual minority survivors.
Authors: Caleb J Winch; Kerry A Sherman; Louise A Koelmeyer; Katriona M Smith; Helen Mackie; John Boyages Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2015-03-27 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Jennifer Barsky Reese; Laura S Porter; Kristen E Casale; Elissa T Bantug; Sharon L Bober; Sharon C Schwartz; Katherine Clegg Smith Journal: Health Psychol Date: 2016-08-15 Impact factor: 4.267
Authors: Tess Thompson; Katie Heiden-Rootes; Miriam Joseph; L Anne Gilmore; LaShaune Johnson; Christine M Proulx; Emily L Albright; Maria Brown; Jane A McElroy Journal: Soc Sci Med Date: 2020-07-18 Impact factor: 4.634