Brazilian Journal of Oncology (Dec 2022)

Sexual quality of life in hormonotherapy for breast cancer patients

  • Pedro Paulo Perroni da Silva,
  • Ana Clara Salviato Capassi,
  • Carolina Federicci Haddad,
  • Larissa Araujo Santos,
  • Marina Vieira Maia,
  • Nadia Yumi Hatamoto,
  • Luis Antonio Pires,
  • Gilson Luchezi Delgado

DOI
https://doi.org/10.5935/2526-8732.20220347
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 18, no. 00

Abstract

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Objectives: To evaluate how hormonal therapy can impact breast cancer patients sexual quality of life and compare two widely used therapeutic agents: anastrozole and tamoxifen. Studies so far have evaluated the side effects of such therapy on patients general quality of life, but literature remains scarce regarding the impact it has on sexual aspects. We believe there is a demand for a detailed view of these aspects since most patients undergo these treatments for at least five years. Material and Methods: Transverse observational study evaluated in 2019, 41 women with a history of breast cancer, all of them undergoing hormonal therapy. Group presented a mean age of 55.4 years (35 to 77 years); those in menopause with a mean time of menopause of 10.92 years (2 to 28 years). Thirty-eight women lived maritally and/or were sexually active. The mean duration of treatment was 36.84 months. We analyzed data in pre-and postmenopausal women, evaluating the results of questionnaires with general parameters (age, treatment time, general quality of life, adaptation to therapy) as well as specific instruments for evaluation of sexual dysfunction (FSDS-R) and quality of life with specific aspects for breast cancer (FACT-B). The results were placed in 2×2 contingency tables comparing the group receiving tamoxifen versus anastrozole. Results and Conclusion: Tamoxifen compared to anastrozole is a drug with apparent less impact on most common sexual dysfunctions (orgasm, dyspareunia, and feeling good quality of sex life), following those already published in international literature. We found no impact on physical, socio-familiar, and emotional well-being. Finally, we conclude that the results of this study significantly contribute to the choice of adequate therapeutic agent and highlight the need to bring this topic during routine consults and to the decision with the patient for the best suited treatment option.

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