Management of sexual and reproductive problems in breast cancer survivors

Abstract

Introduction. Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women and is a threat to female sexuality, considering the mammary glands’ significance in sexuality, attractiveness, and sexual satisfaction. Female sexual disorders, which involve disturbances in sexual desire, attraction, arousal, orgasm, and genito-pelvic pain, are common among middle-aged breast cancer survivors (BCS). Material and methods. A systematic and structured search of the specialty literature was conducted using PubMed, SCOPUS, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases with keywords such as breast cancer survivors”, “sexual disorders”, and “reproductive health” to find studies relevant to the targeted hypothesis. Works were selected according to the following criteria: full-text articles, publications in English, covering the period 2000-2023. Results. Patients with sexual dysfunctions may benefit from a variety of treatment approaches, such as pharmaceutical, physical, and psychological ones. Studies show that local strategies, such as vaginal estrogens and DHEA, vaginal moisturizers, aqueous lidocaine, vaginal dilators, intravaginal laser, and radiofrequency, as well as psycho-therapeutic strategies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and couple's therapy based on sexual health, improve sexual function. Conclusions. Identifying and managing sexual dysfunction requires a higher level of awareness, interpersonal interaction, and education among physicians and other health care practitioners. To provide appropriate care and prevent the condition from getting more severe, a systematic assessment of sexual function in BCS patients may be helpful in early diagnosis of sexual disorders.

Keywords

• breast cancer survi-vors
• reproductive health
• sexual health
• sexual disorders