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. 2011;16(9):1333-44.
doi: 10.1634/theoncologist.2011-0100. Epub 2011 Aug 11.

If I am in the mood, I enjoy it: an exploration of cancer-related fatigue and sexual functioning in women with breast cancer

Kate Webber  1 , Kelly Mok, Barbara Bennett, Andrew R Lloyd, Michael Friedlander, Ilona Juraskova, David Goldstein; FolCan study group
Affiliations

If I am in the mood, I enjoy it: an exploration of cancer-related fatigue and sexual functioning in women with breast cancer

Kate Webber et al. Oncologist. 2011.

Abstract

Background: We recently reported that cancer-related fatigue (CRF) after adjuvant breast cancer therapy was prevalent and disabling, but largely self-limiting within 12 months. The current paper describes sexual functioning (SF) and its relationship to CRF, mood disorder, and quality of life (QOL) over the first year after completion of adjuvant therapy.

Methods: Women were recruited after surgery, but prior to commencing adjuvant treatment, for early-stage breast cancer. Self-reported validated questionnaires assessed SF, CRF, mood, menopausal symptoms, disability, and QOL at baseline, completion of therapy, and at 6 months and 12 months after treatment.

Results: Of the 218 participants, 92 (42%) completed the SF measure (mean age, 50 years). They were significantly younger, more likely to be partnered, and less likely to be postmenopausal than nonresponders. At baseline, 40% reported problems with sexual interest and 60% reported problems with physical sexual function. SF scores declined across all domains at the end of treatment, then improved but remained below baseline at 12 months, with a significant temporal effect in the physical SF subscale and a trend for overall satisfaction. There were significant correlations between the SF and QOL domains (physical and emotional health, social functioning, and general health) as well as overall QOL. The presence of mood disorder, but not fatigue, demographic, or treatment variables, independently predicted worse overall sexual satisfaction.

Conclusions: Sexual dysfunction is common after breast cancer therapy and impacts QOL. Interventions should include identification and treatment of concomitant mood disorder.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosures

Kate Webber: None; Kelly Mok: None; Barbara Bennett: None; Andrew R. Lloyd: None; Michael Friedlander: None; Ilona Juraskova: None; David Goldstein: None.

Section Editor Eduardo Bruera discloses no financial relationships relevant to the content of this article.

Section Editor Russell K. Portenoy discloses financial relationships with Cephalon, CNS Bio, Grupo Ferrer, Purdue Pharma, and Xenon; and research funding received by his institution from Ameritox, Archimedes Pharmaceuticals, Cephalon, Covidien Mallinckrodt Inc., Endo Pharmaceuticals, Forest Labs, Meda Pharmaceuticals, Ortho-McNeil Janssen Scientific Affairs LLD, Otsuka Pharma, Purdue Pharma, and Tempur-Pedic Corporation.

Reviewer “A” discloses an STTR grant to create intervention for female cancer.

The content of this article has been reviewed by independent peer reviewers to ensure that it is balanced, objective, and free from commerical bias. On the basis of disclosed information, all conflicts of interest have been resolved.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
CAncer Rehabilitation Evaluation System (CARES) sexual domain scores over time. Higher scores indicate greater dysfunction.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Trends in fatigue (SOMA) and mood (PSYCH) scores over time. Higher scores indicate more severe problems
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Trends in SF-36 quality of life domains over time. Higher scores indicate better function. Abbreviations: BP, bodily pain; GH, general health; PF, physical function; RE, role limitation due to emotional problems; RP, role limitation due to physical health; SF, social functioning; SF-36, short-form 36.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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