Breast cancer and sexual self-concept: Comparing women with breast cancer and healthy women

Abstract

This study aimed to assess and compare the dimensions of sexual self-concept (SSC) in women with (n=80) and without (n=120) breast cancer (BC). Women with BC and healthy cases in the control group were selected from the same center. The recruiting women referred for screening, and no BC was detected based on the results. The participants completed the demographic and Persian versions of the modified Multidimensional Sexual Self-Concept Questionnaires. Chi-square, t test, and Mann-Whitney tests were used to analyze the data. Women with BC reported significantly higher scores in negative dimensions of SSC, particularly in sexual anxiety and fear of sex (P<0.05). In the dimension of positive self-concept, only the assertiveness score (P=0.008) was different between the two groups. In contrast, the overall score of positive self-concept did not demonstrate a significant difference between the groups. SSC in women with BC seems impaired compared with healthy women.

Keywords

• breast cancer
• self-concept
• women