Jennifer S Gass1,2, Michaela Onstad3, Sarah Pesek4, Kristin Rojas5, Sara Fogarty6, Ashley Stuckey7,8, Christina Raker9, Don S Dizon10,11. 1. Breast Health Center, Women and Infants' Hospital, Providence, RI, USA. jgass@wihri.org. 2. Department of Surgery, Brown University Warren Alpert Medical School, Providence, RI, USA. jgass@wihri.org. 3. Gynecologic Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA. 4. St. Peter's Hospital, St. Peter's Health Partners Medical Associates, Albany, NY, USA. 5. Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Infants' Hospital, Providence, RI, USA. 6. Department of Surgery, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Towson, MD, USA. 7. Breast Health Center, Women and Infants' Hospital, Providence, RI, USA. 8. Gynecologic Oncology, Women and Infants Hospital, Providence, RI, USA. 9. Division of Research, Women and Infants' Hospital of Rhode Island, Providence, RI, USA. 10. Gynecologic Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA. 11. Harvard Medical School, Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: More early-staged breast cancer patients are choosing mastectomy. No studies have addressed breast-specific sensuality (BSS), defined as the breast's role during intimacy. We explored BSS among women undergoing lumpectomy (L), mastectomy alone (M), or with reconstruction (MR) and analyzed the association of surgical modality with sexual function. METHODS: Women undergoing breast cancer surgery between 2000 and 2013 were eligible for survey using investigator-generated questions and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Demographic and surgical data were collected by chart review. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to analyze FSFI scores, and χ 2 or Fisher's exact tests were used for categorical data. RESULTS: Of 453 invited participants, 268 (59%) completed the survey. Of these, 69.4, 22.4, and 8.2% underwent L, MR, or M, respectively. The importance of the breast/chest wall during intimacy declined significantly regardless of surgical modality (L 83-74%, p = 0.0006; M 95-47%, p = 0.003; MR 93-77%, p = 0.002). No difference in sexual function was found between L, MR, and M (median FSFI score 28.2, 27.5, 25.9, respectively; p = 1.0). Comparing L versus MR, higher FSFI scores resulted with appearance satisfaction (29.0 vs. 22.6 p = 0.002) and preserved BSS as pleasurable breast caress (28.8 vs. 26.5, p = 0.04) and the breast as part of intimacy (28.8 vs. 24.8, p = 0.1). CONCLUSIONS: Breast cancer surgery is associated with lowered BSS. However, BSS and appearance satisfaction scores are better for L and appear to correlate with improved sexual function postoperatively. These data may guide surgical counseling and contribute to survivorship outcomes.
PURPOSE: More early-staged breast cancerpatients are choosing mastectomy. No studies have addressed breast-specific sensuality (BSS), defined as the breast's role during intimacy. We explored BSS among women undergoing lumpectomy (L), mastectomy alone (M), or with reconstruction (MR) and analyzed the association of surgical modality with sexual function. METHODS:Women undergoing breast cancer surgery between 2000 and 2013 were eligible for survey using investigator-generated questions and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Demographic and surgical data were collected by chart review. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to analyze FSFI scores, and χ 2 or Fisher's exact tests were used for categorical data. RESULTS: Of 453 invited participants, 268 (59%) completed the survey. Of these, 69.4, 22.4, and 8.2% underwent L, MR, or M, respectively. The importance of the breast/chest wall during intimacy declined significantly regardless of surgical modality (L 83-74%, p = 0.0006; M 95-47%, p = 0.003; MR 93-77%, p = 0.002). No difference in sexual function was found between L, MR, and M (median FSFI score 28.2, 27.5, 25.9, respectively; p = 1.0). Comparing L versus MR, higher FSFI scores resulted with appearance satisfaction (29.0 vs. 22.6 p = 0.002) and preserved BSS as pleasurable breast caress (28.8 vs. 26.5, p = 0.04) and the breast as part of intimacy (28.8 vs. 24.8, p = 0.1). CONCLUSIONS:Breast cancer surgery is associated with lowered BSS. However, BSS and appearance satisfaction scores are better for L and appear to correlate with improved sexual function postoperatively. These data may guide surgical counseling and contribute to survivorship outcomes.
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