The relationship between sexual activity and sexual attitudes among breast cancer survivors in China.

PURPOSE: Less is known about sexual attitudes of breast cancer survivors (BCSs) and its association with sexual activity and sexual dissatisfaction.

METHODS

We investigated the proportion of sexual activity and sexual dissatisfaction in a cross-sectional study among 341 Chinese BCSs aged 30-75 years old, and we described their association with sexual attitudes, as well as socio-demographic characteristics, physical health conditions, and mental health problems.

RESULTS

Only 83 (24.3%) individuals reported sexual activity in the past year. More than 50% of BCSs considered that sexual activity had adverse impact on their disease recovery. The sexual attitudes such as "sexual activity may impede disease recovery" (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.51; 95% confidence interval, 95% CI: 0.30-0.88), "sexual activity may cause cancer recurrence or metastasizes" (AOR = 0.51; 95% CI: 0.30-0.87), and "their partner fear contracting cancer by sexuality" (AOR = 0.47; 95% CI: 0.23-0.98) were significantly associated with decreased likelihood of reporting sexual activity in the past year. Although 201 (58.9%) BCSs reported that breast cancer decreased the frequency of their sexual activity, only 37 (10.9%) had ever discussed sexuality with a doctor to seek advice.

CONCLUSIONS

Most Chinese BCSs were sexually inactive. The sexual misconceptions about cancer were great barriers of sexual activity. Professional sexual education and consultation may be regarded as easy and effective intervention measures to correct BCSs' misguided sexual attitudes, and finally improving the overall sexual health for BCSs.