Study of the Sexual Behaviors and Influential Factors Affecting Premenopausal Women with Breast Cancer: Application of the Method of Triangulation

Eun Ja Kim; Myung Ae Kim; Na Hyun Kim

doi:10.4069/kjwhn.2014.20.1.72

Journal List > Korean J Women Health Nurs > v.20(1) > 1089495

Go to TopGo to Top Go to BottomGo to Bottom

TOOLS

Kim, Kim, and Kim: Study of the Sexual Behaviors and Influential Factors Affecting Premenopausal Women with Breast Cancer: Application of the Method of Triangulation

Original Article

Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing 2014; 20(1): 72-82.

Published online: 31 March 2014

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4069/kjwhn.2014.20.1.72

Study of the Sexual Behaviors and Influential Factors Affecting Premenopausal Women with Breast Cancer: Application of the Method of Triangulation

Eun Ja Kim¹, Myung Ae Kim², Na Hyun Kim²

¹Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center, Daegu, Korea.

²College of Nursing · Research Institute for Nursing Science, Keimyung University, Daegu, Korea.

Corresponding author: Kim, Na Hyun. College of Nursing, Keimyung University, 1095 Dalgubeol-daero, Dalseo-gu, Daegu 704-701, Korea. Tel: +82-53-580-3928, Fax: +82-53-580-3916, drkim@kmu.ac.kr

Received 4 December 2013 Revised 9 March 2014 Accepted 11 March 2014

(open-access):

This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

Purpose

This study was conducted to investigate sexual behaviors and influencing factors affecting premenopausal women who have breast cancer and have undergone surgery.

Methods

Seventy premenopausal women, ranging between 35~55 years of age, were included in this study. Sexual behaviors were evaluated using the WSBQ-F (Wilmoth Sexual Behaviors Questionnaire-Female). The in-depth interview was analyzed utilizing content analysis.

Results

There were no significant differences regarding the type of surgery, age, time of marriage, education level, occupation, chemotherapy, use of Tamoxifen, and radiotherapy in the sexual activities of premenopausal women with breast cancer. However, quality-related information utilizing qualitative in-depth interviews, revealed 3 issues regarding sexual behaviors.. Participants reported physical discomfort such as vaginal dryness, dyspareunia, emotional changes such as decrease in sexual confidence, and interaction-related changes such as mandatory sexual life, sexual intimacy with one's partner, and being more active sexual behaviors.

Conclusion

There were complex changes associated with sexual behavior after surgery for women with breast cancer which included various events related to stress regarding sexual behavior. Communication between women with breast cancer, their partners, and medical caregivers has a ability to maximize the sense of sexual wellbeing while minimizing the sexual crises.

Keywords: Breast neoplasms, Sexual behavior, Triangulation

Figures and Tables

Table 1

Level of the Sexual Behavior of the Subjects (N=70)

Table 2

Comparison of Sexual Behavior according to General and Treatment-related Characteristics of the Women with Breast Cancer (N=70)

MRM=modified radical mastectomy; BCS=breast conserving surgery.

Table 3

Characteristics of Participants (N=10)

Op=operation; CTx=chemotherapy; Rt=radiation therapy; Ht=hormonal therapy.

Table 4

Sexual Behaviors and Influencing Factors after Breast Cancer Surgery

Notes

This manuscript is based on a part of the first author's master's thesis from Keimyung University.

Summary Statement

▪ What is already known about this topic?

Factors that can affect sexual behaviors in women who have breast cancer may be related to the treatment process, menopause, and psychosocial changes.

▪ What this paper adds?

Through this study, it was revealed that there are emotional and interactive factors that affect sexual behavior of women other than treatment-related factors such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

▪ Implications for practice, education and/or policy

Findings indicate that diagnosis of the health status of premenopausal women with breast cancer may lead to possible improvement of sexual health after surgery of women with breast cancer.

References

1. National Cancer Information Center. Cancer facts & figures in the Republic of Korea [Internet]. Seoul: National Cancer Information Center;2011. cited 2013 December 31. Available from: http://www.cancer.go.kr/mbs/cancer.

2. Avis NE, Crawford S, Manuel J. Quality of life among younger women with breast cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2005; 23(15):3322–3330.

3. Hawighorst-Knapstein S, Fusshoeller C, Franz C, Trautmann K, Schmidt M, Pilch H, et al. The impact of treatment for genital cancer on quality of life and body image-results of a prospective longitudinal 10-year study. Gynecol Oncol. 2004; 94(2):398–403.

4. Korean Breast Cancer Society. Breast cancer facts & figures. Seoul: Korean Breast Cancer Society;2012.

5. Park HS, Koo HY, Won SH. Sexual function and satisfaction with life in women and their predictors. J Korean Acad Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs. 2004; 13(4):505–513.

6. Lee GN, Lee DS. Sexual experiences of women with breast cancer. J Korean Oncol Nurs. 2011; 11(3):210–220.

7. Bae JY, Min KS, Ahn SH. Construction of an explanatory model of female sexual dysfunction. J Korean Acad Nurs. 2007; 37(7):1080–1090.

8. Park JY, Lee EO. The comparison of sexual behaviors in breast cancer survivors with women without breast cancer. J Korean Oncol Nurs. 2001; 1(2):180–190.

9. Yoo YS, Cho OH. Spouse support, sexual satisfaction and marital intimacy of post-mastectomy patients. J Korean Acad Community Health Nurs. 2001; 15(1):148–156.

10. Wilmoth MC, Ross JA. Women's perception. Breast cancer treatment and sexuality. Cancer Pract. 1997; 5(6):353–359.

11. Sheppard LA, Ely S. Breast cancer and sexuality. Breast J. 2008; 14(2):176–181.

12. Lee YS. Psychosocial experience in post-mastectomy women. Korean J Soc Welf. 2007; 59(3):99–124.

13. Lee IJ. Study on psychosocial needs of breast cancer patients [master's thesis]. Seoul: Ewha Womans University;2002. 59–60.

14. Wilmoth MC, Coleman EA, Smith SC, Davis C. Fatigue, weight gain, and altered sexuality in patients with breast cancer: Exploration of a symptom cluster. Oncol Nurs Forum. 2004; 31(6):1069–1075.

15. Yi M, Son HM. Experiences of sexual life of korean women with breast cancer: Descriptions from focus groups and interviews. J Korean Acad Fundam Nurs. 2010; 17(2):187–199.

16. Hawkins Y, Ussher J, Gilbert E, Perz J, Sandoval M, Sundquist K. Changes in sexuality and intimacy after the diagnosis and treatment of cancer: The experience of partners in a sexual relationship with a person with cancer. Cancer Nurs. 2009; 32(4):271–280.

17. Krychman ML, Katz A. Breast cancer and sexuality: Multi-modal treatment options. J Sex Med. 2012; 9(1):5–13.

18. Chae MJ. A structural model for sexual function of patients with breast cancer [dissertation]. Gwangju: Chonnam National University;2012. 71.

19. Chung CW, Hwang EK, Hwang SW. Marital intimacy and quality of life in women with breast cancer. J Korean Oncol Nurs. 2009; 9(2):122–128.

20. Graf MC, Geller PA. Treating hot flashes in breast cancer survivors: A review of alternative treatments to hormone replacement therapy. Clin J Oncol Nurs. 2003; 7(6):637–640.

21. Kim MS, Lee YS. A Study on the menopause management practice and the quality of life in climacteric women. J Korean Soc Matern Child Health. 1999; 3(1):75–87.

22. Berglund G, Nystedt M, Bolund C, Sjoden PO, Rutquist LE. Effect of endocrine treatment on sexuality in premenopausal breast cancer patients; A prospective randomized study. J Clin Oncol. 2001; 19(11):2788–2796.

23. Holmberg SK, Scott LL, Alexy W, Fife BL. Relationship issues of women with breast cancer. Cancer Nurs. 2001; 24(1):53–60.

24. Wilmoth MC. Development and psychometric behaviors questionnaire [dissertation]. Pennsylvania: University of Pennsylvania;1993.

25. Patton MQ. Qualitative research & evaluation methods. 3rd ed. Newbury park, CA: Sage;2001.

26. Bruner DW, Boyd CP. Assessing women's sexuality after cancer therapy: Checking assumptions with the focus group technique. Cancer Nurs. 1999; 22(6):438–447.

27. Jun MH, Kim YO, Kim MJ. A comparison of quality of life and sexuality between the patients with mastectomy and those with breast conservative operation. Korean J Adult Nurs. 1996; 8(1):142–155.

28. Bakewell RT, Volker DL. Sexual dysfunction related to the treatment of young women with breast cancer. Clin J Oncol Nurs. 2005; 9(6):697–702.

29. Noh YH. Breast cancer survivors's conquest experience [dissertation]. Gwangju: Chonnam National University;2003. 122.

TOOLS

Similar articles