Psychosocial impact in the areas of body image and sexuality for women with breast cancer

Abstract

It is estimated that breast cancer will affect one in eleven women during their lifetime. The potential for the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer to impact on a woman’s sexuality and body image is well recognised and there has also been an increasing awareness of the psychosocial distress associated with breast cancer, which has put a new emphasis on quality of life.2 Sexuality is an important quality of life issue to breast cancer survivors, particularly as more women are living longer and have increased concerns with the quality of all aspects of their lives. The aim of this report is to present an overview of published research about the psychosocial impact of breast cancer on women’s body image and sexuality. It also considers the supportive care issues for women and their partners, as illustrated through a series of focus group interviews. This report details the nature and frequency of occurrence of body image and sexual difficulties in women with breast cancer, with a particular emphasis on the past decade. It also identifies the impact of premature menopause on younger women, the impact of treatment regimens, and finally, the impact of each of these on the psychological functioning of women in their relationships, family, and community.