Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Subjective sexual well-being and sexual behavior in young women with breast cancer

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Supportive Care in Cancer Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objectives

The aim of this study was to systematically describe the nature and context of subjective sexual well-being and sexual behavior in young women with breast cancer.

Methods

Data on sexual behavior and subjective sexual well-being were collected through an internet questionnaire. Respondents were included if they had been diagnosed with breast cancer within the past 6 years and were currently 45 years of age or younger. Results were compared with a representative sample of the general Dutch population.

Results

In comparison with the general Dutch population of women, young women still undergoing breast cancer treatment are less sexually active and have a more negative experience of sexuality. While women who had already finished their treatment had more or less the same amount of sexual activity as the general Dutch population, there were still major differences in their experience of sexuality. Particularly strong associations were found between these women’s sexual well-being in relation to their relationship satisfaction, and sexual interaction competence.

Conclusion

In the wake of breast cancer treatment, young women have difficulty enjoying sex; it is evidently hard for them to resume their sex lives after breast cancer. In particular, women who find it hard to discuss sexual wishes and the possibilities and impossibilities associated with breast cancer with their partner experience negative consequences when trying to resume their sex lives.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Dutch Association of Comprehensive Cancer Centers (2010) Borstkanker in Nederland, cijfers uit de kankerregistratie [Breast Cancer in the Netherlands, data from the cancer registry]. Vereniging Integrale Kankercentra, Utrecht

    Google Scholar 

  2. Dutch Scientific Network Comprehensive Cancer Centers (2011). Available from URL: http://www.iknl.nl/cijfers Accessed on April 24, 2011

  3. Graf MC, Geller PA (2003) Treating hot flashes in breast cancer survivors: a review of alternative treatments to hormone replacement therapy. Clin J Oncol Nurs 7:637–640

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Massie MJ (2004) Prevalence of depression in patients with cancer. J Natl Cancer 32:57–71

    Google Scholar 

  5. Burwell SR, Case LD, Kaelin C, Avis NE (2006) Sexual problems in younger women after breast cancer surgery. J Clin Oncol 24:2815–2821

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Hopwood P, Haviland J, Mills J, Sumo G (2007) The impact of age and clinical factors on quality of life in early breast cancer: an analysis of 2208 women recruited to the UK START Trial (Standardisation of Breast Radiotherapy Trial). Breast 16:241–251

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Kedde H, Van de Wiel HBM, Weijmar Schultz WCM, Wijsen C (2012) Sexual dysfunction in young women with breast cancer. Support Care Cancer 21:271–280

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Alder J, Zanetti R, Wight E et al (2008) Sexual dysfunction after premenopausal stage I and II breast cancer: do androgens play a role? J Sex Med 5:1898–1906

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Eeltink C, Hahn D (eds) (2009) 80 vragen over kanker en seksualiteit [80 questions about cancer and sexuality]. Academic Pharmaceutical Productions, Utrecht

    Google Scholar 

  10. Fobair P, Stewart S, Chang S, D’Onofrio C, Banks P, Bloom S (2006) Body image and sexual problems in young women with breast cancer. Psychooncol 5:579–594

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Henson H (2002) Breast cancer and sexuality. Sex Disabil 20:261–275

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Derogatis LR (1980) Breast and gynaecological cancers: their unique body image and sexual identity in women. Front Radiat Ther On 14:1–11

    Google Scholar 

  13. Schain WS, Wellisch DK, Pasnau RO, Landsverk J (1985) The sooner the better: a study of psychological factors in women undergoing immediate versus delayed reconstruction of the breast. Am J Psychiat 142:40–46

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Bakewell RT, Volker DL (2005) Sexual dysfunction related to the treatment of young women with breast cancer. Clin J Oncol Nurs 9:697–702

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Kunkel E, Chen E (2003) Psychiatric aspects of women with breast cancer. Psychiat Clin N Am 26:713–724

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Wilmoth MC, Coleman EA, Smith SC, Davis C (2004) Fatigue, weight gain, and altered sexuality in patients with breast cancer: exploration of a symptom cluster. Oncol Nurs Forum 31:1069–1075

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Ghizzani A, Pirtoli L, Bellezza A, Velicogna F (1995) The evaluation of some factors influencing the sexual life of women affected by breast cancer. J Sex Marital Ther 21:57–63

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Van Lankveld J, Laan E (2009) Wetenschappelijk onderzoek naar seksualiteit [Scientific research on sexuality]. In: Gijs L, Gianotten W, Vanwesenbeeck I, Weijenborg P (eds) Seksuologie [Sexology]. Bohn Stafleu van Loghum, Houten, pp 45–67

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  19. Pool G, Van de Wiel HBM, Jaspers JPC, Weijmar Schultz WCM, Van Driel MF (2008) Kanker [Cancer]. In: Gianotten WL, Meihuizen-de Regt MJ, Van Son-Schoones N (eds) Seksualiteit bij ziekte en lichamelijke beperking [Sexuality with disease and physical disability]. Van Gorcum, Assen, pp 325–339

    Google Scholar 

  20. Enzlin P (2008) Seksualiteit, een plaatsbepaling [Sexuality, orientation and definition]. In: Gianotten WL, Meihuizen-de Regt MJ, Van Son-Schoones N (eds) Seksualiteit bij ziekte en lichamelijke beperking [Sexuality with disease and physical disability]. Van Gorcum, Assen, pp 16–20

    Google Scholar 

  21. Oberg K, Fugl-Meyer KS, Fugl-Meyer AR (2002) On sexual well-being in sexually abused Swedish women: epidemiological aspects. Sex Relat Ther 17:329–341

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Laumann EO, Paik A, Glasser DB et al (2006) A cross-national study of subjective sexual well-being among older women and men: findings from the global study of sexual attitudes and behaviors. Arch Sex Behav 35:145–161

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Ofman U, Kingsberg SA, Nelson CJ (2008) Sexual problems and cancer. In: DeVita VT, Hellman S, Rosenberg SA (eds) Cancer: principles and practice of oncology. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, PA, pp 2804–2815

    Google Scholar 

  24. Panjari M, Bell R, Davis S (2011) Sexual function after breast cancer. J Sex Med 8:294–302

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Malinovszky KM, Gould A, Foster E et al (2006) Quality of life and sexual function after high-dose or conventional chemotherapy for high-risk breast cancer. Br J Cancer 95:1626–1631

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Markopoulos C, Tsaroucha AK, Kouskos E et al (2009) Impact of breast cancer surgery on the self-esteem and sexual life of female patients. J Int Med Res 37:182–188

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Evers AWM, Kraaimaat FW, Van Lankveld W, Jongen PJH, Jacobs JWG, Bijlsma JWJ (1998) Beyond unfavorable thinking: the illness cognition questionnaire for chronic diseases. J Consult Clin Psych 69:1026–1036

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Hagger MS, Orbell S (2003) A meta-analytic review of the common-sense model of illness representations. Psychol Heal 18:141–184

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Leventhal H, Nerenz DR, Steele DS (1984) Illness representations and coping with health threats. In: Baum A, Singer J (eds) A handbook of psychology and health. Erlbaum, Hillsdale, pp 219–252

    Google Scholar 

  30. Weinman J, Petrie KJ, Moss-Morri R, Horne R (1996) The Illness perception questionnaire: a new method for assessing illness perceptions. Psychol Health 11:431–446

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Heijmans MJWM (1998) Cognitive representations of chronic disease: an empirical study among patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and Addison’s disease. Universiteit Utrecht, Utrecht

    Google Scholar 

  32. Burman B, Margolin G (1992) Analysis of the association between marital relationships and health problems: an interactional perspective. Psychol Bull 112:39–63

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Gottman JM (1993) A theory of marital dissolution and stability. J Fam Psychol 7:57–75

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Horwitz AV, McLaughlin J, White HR (1998) How the negative and positive aspects of partner relationships affect the mental health of young married people. J Health Soc Behav 39:124–136

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. De Graaf H, Höing M, Zaagsma M, Vanwesenbeeck I (2007) Tienerseks: vormen van instrumentele seks onder tieners [Teenage sex: variations in instrumental sex among teenagers]. Rutgers Nisso Groep, Utrecht

    Google Scholar 

  36. Savelkoul M (2012) Sociale steun samengevat [Social support summarized]. Available from URL: http://www.nationaalkompas.nl/gezondheidsdeterminanten/omgeving/leefomgeving/sociale-steun/sociale-steun-samengevat. Accessed on March 9, 2012

  37. Garssen B (2004) Psychological factors and cancer development: evidence after 30 years of research. Clin Psychol Rev 24:315–338

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Edelman S (2005) Relationship between psychological factors and cancer: an update of the evidence. Clin Psychol 9:45–53

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Chida Y, Hamer M, Wardle J, Steptoe A (2008) Do stress-related psychosocial factors contribute to cancer incidence and survival? Nat Rev Clin Oncol 5:466–475

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Pinquart M, Duberstein PR (2010) Associations of social networks with cancer mortality: a meta-analysis. Crit Rev Oncol Hemat 75:122–137

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Nausheen B, Gidron Y, Peveler R, Moss-Morris R (2009) Social support and cancer progression: a systematic review. J Psychosom Res 67:403–415

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Salonen P, Tarkka MT, Kellokumpu-Lehtinen PL et al (2012) Effect of social support on changes in quality of life in early breast cancer patients: a longitudinal study. Scand J Caring Sci. doi:10.1111/j.1471-6712.2012.01050.x, Advance online publication

  43. Vroege JA (1994) Vragenlijst voor het signaleren van seksuele dysfuncties (VSD). 5de versie [Questionnaire on screening for sexual dysfunctions (QSD). 5th version]. Academisch Ziekenhuis Utrecht, Afdeling Medische seksuologie/Nederlands Instituut voor Sociaal Sexuologisch Onderzoek: Utrecht

  44. Taleporos G, McCabe M (2002) Development and validation of the physical disability sexual and body esteem scale. Sex Disabil 20:159–176

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Vanwesenbeeck I, Bakker F, Gesell S (2010) Sexual health in the Netherlands. Main results of a population survey among Dutch adults. Int J Sex Health 22:55–71

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Lawrance K, Byers ES (1998) Interpersonal exchange model of sexual satisfaction questionnaire. In: Davis CM, Yarber WL, Bauserman R, Schreer G, Davis L (eds) Sexuality-related measures: a compendium, 2nd edn. Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA, pp 514–519

    Google Scholar 

  47. Janda LH, O’Grady KE (1980) Development of a sex anxiety inventory. J Consult Clin Psych 48:169–175

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Fisher WA, Byrne D, White LA (1983) Emotional Barriers to contraception. In: Byrne D, Fisher WA (eds) Adolescents, sex and contraception. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Hillsdale, NJ, pp 207–239

    Google Scholar 

  49. Bancroft J, Loftus J, Scott Long J (2003) Distress about sex: a national survey of women in heterosexual relationships. Arch Sex Behav 32:193–208

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Ware JE, Kosinski MA (2001) SF-36: Physical and mental health summary scales. A manual for users of Version 1, 2nd edn. Quality Metric Inc, Lincoln, RI

    Google Scholar 

  51. Arrindell W, Schaap C (1985) The Maudsley marital questionnaire (MMQ): an extension of its construct validity. Br J Psychiat 147:295–299

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Cohen J (1992) A power primer. Psychol Bull 112:155–159

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. McLean C, Campbell C (2003) Locating research informants in a multi-ethnic community: ethnic identities, social networks and recruitment methods. Ethn Health 8:41–61

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Berglund G, Bolund C, Gustafsson U, Sjoden P (1997) Is the wish to participate in a cancer rehabilitation program an indicator of the need? Comparisons of participants and non-participants in a randomized study. Psychooncology 6:46

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgement

This study was financed by the Dutch Ministry of Public Health, Welfare, and Sports. This study was commissioned by the Dutch Breast Cancer Association (BVN) and the Amazon Foundation — an organisation specifically aimed at young women with breast cancer. This study did not require the approval of an institutional review board.

Conflict of interest

Rutgers WPF and the University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen do not a have a financial relationship with the organizations that sponsored this research. Rutgers WPF is in full control of all primary data, which can be reviewed by the Journal of Supportive Care in Cancer if requested. The authors certify that they have no commercial associations that may pose a conflict of interests in connection with the submitted article.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rutgers WPF, P.O. Box 9022, 3506, GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    H. Kedde

  2. University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands

    H. B. M. van de Wiel & W. C. M. Weijmar Schultz

  3. Rutgers WPF, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    C. Wijsen

Authors
  1. H. Kedde
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. H. B. M. van de Wiel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. W. C. M. Weijmar Schultz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. C. Wijsen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to H. Kedde.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kedde, H., van de Wiel, H.B.M., Weijmar Schultz, W.C.M. et al. Subjective sexual well-being and sexual behavior in young women with breast cancer. Support Care Cancer 21, 1993–2005 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-013-1750-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-013-1750-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation