Sexual health after breast cancer: Recommendations from the Spanish Menopause Society, Federación Española de Sociedades de Sexología, Sociedad Española de Médicos de Atención Primaria and Sociedad Española de Oncología Médica

Maturitas. 2017 Nov:105:126-131. doi: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2017.02.010. Epub 2017 Feb 20.

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. As survival rates are increasing, the long-term health problems of survivors now need attention. Many survivors develop sexual disorders as a consequence of either the side-effects of treatment or induced menopause. A panel of experts from various Spanish scientific societies (Spanish Menopause Society, SMS; Federación Española de Sociedades de Sexología, FESS; Sociedad Española de Médicos de Atención Primaria, SEMERGEN; and Sociedad Española de Oncología Médica) met to develop recommendations for the management of sexual health in breast cancer survivors based on the best evidence available. The main recommendation is that sexuality must be considered by a multidisciplinary team as an integral part of treatment, to improve the quality of life of breast cancer survivors.

Keywords: Breast cancer survivors; Sexual disorders; Sexual health; Sexual therapy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms* / epidemiology
  • Breast Neoplasms* / psychology
  • Cancer Survivors / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Menopause / psychology
  • Quality of Life
  • Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / epidemiology
  • Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / psychology
  • Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / therapy
  • Sexual Health*
  • Spain