%0 Journal Article
%T Assessment of sexual function in postmenopausal breast cancer survivors.
%A Vitorino CN
%A Omodei MS
%A de Souza RC
%A Nahas GP
%A de Araujo Brito Buttros D
%A Carvalho-Pessoa E
%A Vespoli HL
%A Nahas EAP
%J Sex Med
%V 12
%N 3
%D 2024 Jun
%M 38948072
%F 2.523
%R 10.1093/sexmed/qfae035
%X <B>UNASSIGNED: </B>Breast cancer (BC) is considered a risk factor for sexual dysfunction, which may be associated with the diagnosis itself or with oncological treatments. However, sexual dysfunction often remains underdiagnosed and unaddressed among BC survivors.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>The study sought to evaluate the sexual function of postmenopausal BC survivors compared with postmenopausal women without BC.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>This case-control study included 178 postmenopausal BC survivors (stages I-III), 45 to 70 years of age, with amenorrhea for ≥12 months and sexually active. They were compared with 178 women without BC, matched (±2 years) for age and time since menopause in a 1:1 ratio. Sexual function was evaluated using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), which consists of 6 domains (desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain), with a total score ≤26.5 indicating risk of sexual dysfunction. Statistical analysis included Student's t test, chi-square test, and logistic regression (odds ratio [OR]).<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>Evaluation of sexual function in postmenopausal women treated for BC.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>Postmenopausal BC survivors showed poorer sexual function in the desire domain (P = .002). No significant differences were observed between groups in the other FSFI domains and total score (P > .05). Postmenopausal BC survivors had a higher prevalence of risk of sexual dysfunction (64.6% with a total score ≤26.5) compared with the control group (51.6%) (P = .010). Adjusted risk analysis for age and time since menopause revealed a higher risk of sexual dysfunction in BC survivors compared with women without cancer (OR, 1.98; 95% confidence interval, 1.29-2.96; P = .007). Among BC survivors, the use of hormone therapy was associated with a higher risk of sexual dysfunction (OR, 3.46; 95% confidence interval, 1.59-7.51; P = .002).<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>Postmenopausal BC survivors should be regularly assessed before and throughout treatment to enable the early detection and diagnosis of sexual dysfunction.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>The main strength is that this study might contribute to a better understanding of sexual function in postmenopausal BC survivors compared with women without BC. The main limitation is that while the FSFI is a valid and reliable tool for the evaluation of female sexual function, it does not allow a comprehensive diagnosis of sexual dysfunction, as it is not applicable to partners.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>Compared with postmenopausal women without BC, postmenopausal BC survivors face a higher risk of sexual dysfunction, especially when treated with adjuvant hormone therapy.