Abstract
Sexual Health Issues in Women Treated for Carcinoma Breast and Carcinoma Cervix
Highlights
Sexual dysfunction is common in cancer survivors
In this article we provide an overview of the various treatment modalities and associated sexual health issues afflicting women that compromise their quality of life
The survivors were evaluated for sexual dysfunction using female sexual function index (FSFI) and the female sexual distress scale-revised (FSDS-R). They found that complaints of sexual dysfunction were reported among 77 percent of the survivors based on the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) [4]
Summary
Gynecological cancers contribute significantly to the burden of malignancies among women, with approximately one million cases worldwide. Breast cancer is treated by a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and hormonal treatment All these modalities have various impacts on sexual health issues among women. Exact impact of radiation alone on sexual health is difficult to determine as it is always associated with combination of surgery and chemotherapy as treatment modality [15-18]. Endocrine therapy is another important modality for treatment of breast cancer. It was noted that 30-40 percent of women treated with tamoxifen and almost half of the patients treated with aromatase inhibitors reported sexual health issues. Despite proven sexual health issues, less than half the women who are treated for breast cancer receive any medical attention for the same. Sexual function was considered in terms of a physical domain and not a global issue. Patients were not sure as to where to seek appropriate treatment. Lack of services [21]
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