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Predictors of Sexual Health in Women After a Breast Cancer Diagnosis

From the Schools of Medicine and Public Health and Division of Cancer Prevention and Control Research, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles; Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA; and Department of Psychiatry, Georgetown University Medical School, and Lombardi Cancer Center, Washington, DC.

Address reprint requests to Patricia A. Ganz, MD, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control Research, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, A2-125 CHS Box 956900, 650 Circle Dr South, Los Angeles, CA 90095-6900; email pganz{at}ucla.edu

PURPOSE: To identify variables that might be predictive of sexual health (interest, dysfunction, and satisfaction) in a large sample of breast cancer survivors, with a validation conducted in a second, independent sample.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: On the basis of a conceptual framework of sexual health in breast cancer survivors, we performed multivariable regression analyses to estimate sexual interest, dysfunction, and satisfaction in both samples. Additional analyses were performed using stepwise regression and recursive partitioning to explore in each sample the relative contributions of the independent variables toward predicting the outcome measures.

RESULTS: The models for sexual interest accounted for at least 33% of the variance, and the significant predictors common to the two samples were having a new partner since the diagnosis of breast cancer, mental health score, and body image score. For sexual dysfunction, the models in the two samples explained at least 33% of the variance, and the common significant predictors were vaginal dryness, past chemotherapy use, and having a new partner since diagnosis. The sexual satisfaction models explained at least 27% of the variance, with the common significant predictors being the quality of the partnered relationship and sexual problems in the partner.

CONCLUSION: Among the predictors of sexual health, several are mutable (vaginal dryness, emotional well-being, body image, the quality of the partnered relationship, and sexual problems in the partner), and these should be considered for future interventions to address the sexual health and well-being of breast cancer survivors.

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