Sexual Function in Women with Breast Cancer: An Evidence Map of Observational Studies

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Oct 27;19(21):13976. doi: 10.3390/ijerph192113976.

Abstract

Breast cancer (BC) is the leading cause of cancer in women, and has implications for sexual function (SF). In this study, we used an evidence map to identify, describe, and organise the current available evidence regarding SF in women with BC. We searched the MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL databases for observational studies assessing SF in women with BC published in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French between 2000 and 2021 (sample ≥ 50 women). Of the 64 included studies (13,257 women with BC), 58 were published since 2010. Women who were married, partnered, or in relationships represented 74.1% of the entire sample. Only a single study was conducted on women representing a sexual minority. We identified 22 assessment instruments and 40 sexual dysfunction (SdF) domains. The number of publications on SF in women with BC has increased in the last 10 years, but still remains low. Some groups of women are underrepresented, and some SdF domains are underdiagnosed, with the assessment instrument used affecting which domains are studied. Women with BC need to be better screened, as their quality of life (QoL) is affected by SdF.

Keywords: breast cancer; breast neoplasms; cancer; evidence map; oncology; psychosexual disorders; quality of life; sexual dysfunction; sexual function; women.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms* / complications
  • Breast Neoplasms* / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Observational Studies as Topic
  • Quality of Life
  • Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological* / etiology
  • Sexual Partners

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.