Sexuality of Brazilian women in the context of breast cancer: A mixed methods analysis

4^th World Congress on Cancer Science & Therapy

October 20-22, 2014 DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Chicago-North Shore Conference Center, USA

Daniela Barsotti Santos and Elisabeth Meloni Vieira

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Cancer Sci Ther

Abstract :

Introduction: Sexuality can be affected after the impairment by an illness such as breast cancer which the treatment causes several body modifications impacting sexual function. Objective: To understand the psychosocial aspects of the sexuality after breast cancer by the comparison of sexual function evaluation with the types of treatments, sexual frequency, satisfaction with the loving relationship and gender roles. Method: This mixed methods study of convergent design included data of a survey with 139 women analyzed by clusters and the data of qualitative interviews conducted with 24 participants using semi-structured guideline. These interviews were analyzed based on the theory of Sexual Scripts. Results: In the quantitative component, 67 women answered the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) among the total of 139 participants. By the FSFI score it was obtained 6 clusters in which half of them presented sexual dysfunction or suggestion of some sexual problems. Three sexual scripts were identified: the script of sexuality based on traditional gender roles, the script of sexuality related to aging, and the script of sexuality based on wellbeing. The alteration of sexual function was not decisive for some women consider worsening of their sexual life after cancer. There were some reports of improvement of sexual life and some women reported that sex life remained the same as before. Final considerations: It is important to health professionals deconstruct stereotypes related to sexuality issues in the breast cancer to assist women in the reflexivity process and development of positive ways to deal with the sexuality.

Biography :

Daniela Barsotti Santos is a psychologist and obtained PhD in Health Sciences, is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Social Medicine, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo.