Impact of breast cancer treatment on quality of life and sexual health: a multidimensional assessment.

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer treatment can affect women's quality of life, body image, and sexual function across multiple dimensions.

AIM: To assess quality of life, body image, and sexual function in women undergoing breast cancer treatment according to surgical and sociodemographic factors.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 100 women treated at a tertiary hospital. Quality of life was measured using World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL)-Bref, body image with ERIC scale, and sexual function with Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Variables included age, socioeconomic level, relationship status, surgery type (breast-conserving vs. mastectomy), chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and hormone therapy for breast cancer. Associations were examined using Spearman's correlation and Kruskal-Wallis tests (P < .05).

OUTCOMES: Quality of life, body image, and sexual function varied significantly by socioeconomic level, relationship status, age, and surgery type.

RESULTS

Women in stable relationships had higher psychological WHOQOL scores. Higher socioeconomic levels correlated with better physical, psychological, and environmental domains. Breast-conserving surgery showed better psychological outcomes than mastectomy. Younger women and those with conservative surgery reported lower ERIC scores in Social Barriers and Appearance/Sexuality. Among 74 sexually active women, 52 (70%) met FSFI criteria for sexual dysfunction, particularly in Desire, Lubrication, and Dyspareunia, more frequent in women without partners, younger women, and those with mastectomy.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: These findings may help clinicians tailor oncologic care to address physical, psychological, and relational dimensions more effectively.

STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS: Strengths include validated instruments and multidimensional assessment; limitations include cross-sectional design, self-reported data, absence of multivariable models, and single-center sample limiting generalizability.

CONCLUSION

Breast cancer treatment affects multiple aspects of women's well-being, reinforcing the need for comprehensive, patient-centered, multidimensional follow-up.