Mastectomy Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Mastectomy, including details on breast cancer, prosthesis, recovery, surgery, complications. | ||||||||
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Sexual dysfunction in breast cancer survivors.Buković D, Fajdić J, Hrgović Z, Kaufmann M, Hojsak I, Stancerić T Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Croatia. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine differences in body image and sexuality of breast cancer survivors, depending on treatment: radical mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 206 patients treated for breast cancer between January 2001 and January 2004 were asked to fill in the questionnaire 1-5 years after treatment. Patients were divided into 2 groups. The first group consisted of 108 patients with advanced stages of breast cancer and who were treated with modified mastectomy with adjuvant chemo- or radiation therapy. The second group consisted of 98 patients with early stages of breast cancer who were treated with breast conserving surgery, lumpectomy and radiotherapy. RESULTS: A significant number of patients in both groups was satisfied with their sexual life before treatment, 70.37 and 73.47% respectively, which is grossly reduced after treatment of breast cancer (56.48 and 50.00%, respectively, p > 0.05). Most of patients found their partner's attitude towards them to be the same (31.48 and 45.92%), or even better (39.82 and 25.51%) after treatment, and they described them as very supportive and tender. In group 1, 58.33% of patients felt differences in their body image, in contrast to 44.90% in group 2. Similar proportions were observed in both groups for patients who felt mutilated (18.52 vs. 8.16%, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: These findings confirm and extend previous reports of impaired sexual functioning among breast cancer survivors. Published 17 January 2005 in Onkologie, 28(1): 29-34.
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