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How do Iranian Women with Breast Cancer Conceptualize Sex and Body Image?

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Abstract

Women’s sexual dysfunction after breast cancer diagnosis and treatment has received little research attention in Iran (I.R). Our goal was to identify sexual dysfunction and its related factors in Iranian women after diagnosis of breast cancer. A sample of 82 female breast cancer survivors seen for routine follow-up appointment from March 2006 to March 2007 completed a survey questionnaire regarding their sexual experiences, body image perception and opinion about sex after cancer diagnosis and treatment. The various aspects of sexual function that were disturbed was related to factors such as age, marital status, body image perception, and perceived husband’s attitude. The authors conclude that healthcare workers’ education is very important, so taking time to do research and passing along knowledge will go a long way in helping to address sexual disturbances in breast cancer survivor in our community.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Dr. Behjat Sadat Kalantary for her valid cooperation, without which, this study would not have been possible, Dr. Nouzar Nakhaee for his guidance and the participants who allowed us into their experiences.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Community Medicine, Afzallipour Medical School, Neurosciences Research Center, Kerman Medical Sciences University, P.O. Box 444, Kerman, Iran (I.R)

    Behshid Garrusi

  2. Kerman Medical Sciences University, Kerman, Iran (I.R)

    Hoda Faezee

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  1. Behshid Garrusi
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  2. Hoda Faezee
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Correspondence to Behshid Garrusi.

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Garrusi, B., Faezee, H. How do Iranian Women with Breast Cancer Conceptualize Sex and Body Image?. Sex Disabil 26, 159–165 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-008-9092-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-008-9092-x

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