Evaluation of sexual function and its related factors in women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy referred to Iran-Mehr Medical Center in Birjand, 2018

Background and Aim: The Breast cancer is very common. These patients develop sexual dysfunction following chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of chemotherapy in breast cancer patients on their sexual function. Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was performed on patients with breast cancer referred to Iran-Mehr Medical Center in winter 2018 undergoing chemotherapy. 119 patients were enrolled in the study under census. The Rosen’s Sexual Function Questionnaire was used to collect data. Data were analyzed by using SPSS (Version 16) and Smirnov-Kolmogorov, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests at the significant level of (P<0.05). Results: In terms of sexual function, the lowest score was 2.40 and the highest score was 14.90. In the study of sexual function components, patients were in the worst condition in terms of pain, 0.84±0.75 and humidity 0.85±0.73. The mean scores of other components included orgasm 1.13±0.64, irritability 1.05±0.84, satisfaction 1.23±0.30 and sexual desire 1.66±0.66, respectively. The only factor affecting sexual function Location, age of marriage and age of patients. Conclusion: The score of sexual function was less than the minimum; the most disorders were recorded for the components of pain and humidity. Factors affecting sexual function were included: location, years of menopause, type of treatment, age of patients and years of marriage. It is recommended that the sexual status of breast cancer patients be evaluated before and during treatment and that the necessary training be provided to inform patients about this disorder and the necessary treatments to improve sexual function.