Open AccessIf I Am in the Mood, I Enjoy It: An Exploration of Cancer‐Related Fatigue and Sexual Functioning in Women with Breast Cancer
Author(s) -
Webber Kate,
Mok Kelly,
Bennett Barbara,
Lloyd Andrew R.,
Friedlander Michael,
Juraskova Ilona,
Goldstein David
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the oncologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.176
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1549-490X
pISSN - 1083-7159
DOI - 10.1634/theoncologist.2011-0100
Subject(s) - medicine , breast cancer , mood , quality of life (healthcare) , sexual function , sexual dysfunction , cancer , adjuvant therapy , clinical psychology , physical therapy , nursing
Learning Objectives After completing this course, the reader will be able to: Explain the relationship between cancer‐related fatigue and sexual function. Identify the presence of mood disorder as a key determinant of sexual problems after adjuvant breast cancer therapy.This article is available for continuing medical education credit at CME.TheOncologist.comBackground. We recently reported that cancer‐related fatigue (CRF) after adjuvant breast cancer therapy was prevalent and disabling, but largely self‐limiting within 12 months. The current paper describes sexual functioning (SF) and its relationship to CRF, mood disorder, and quality of life (QOL) over the first year after completion of adjuvant therapy. Methods. Women were recruited after surgery, but prior to commencing adjuvant treatment, for early‐stage breast cancer. Self‐reported validated questionnaires assessed SF, CRF, mood, menopausal symptoms, disability, and QOL at baseline, completion of therapy, and at 6 months and 12 months after treatment. Results. Of the 218 participants, 92 (42%) completed the SF measure (mean age, 50 years). They were significantly younger, more likely to be partnered, and less likely to be postmenopausal than nonresponders. At baseline, 40% reported problems with sexual interest and 60% reported problems with physical sexual function. SF scores declined across all domains at the end of treatment, then improved but remained below baseline at 12 months, with a significant temporal effect in the physical SF subscale and a trend for overall satisfaction. There were significant correlations between the SF and QOL domains (physical and emotional health, social functioning, and general health) as well as overall QOL. The presence of mood disorder, but not fatigue, demographic, or treatment variables, independently predicted worse overall sexual satisfaction. Conclusions. Sexual dysfunction is common after breast cancer therapy and impacts QOL. Interventions should include identification and treatment of concomitant mood disorder.