Women's Insights on Sexual Health After Breast Cancer (WISH-BREAST) Survey

Abstract

Purpose: Sexual health is a highly prevalent concern after breast cancer treatment; however, it remains largely unaddressed. This study evaluates the sexual health concerns of breast cancer survivors, experiences seeking information and treatment for sexual health concerns after cancer diagnosis, and the role of social media.

Methods: The Women's Insight in Sexual Health after Breast Cancer (WISH-BREAST) study was an online, anonymous survey-based analysis of breast cancer survivors' experience with sexual health concerns. The 44-question online survey was distributed over social media and email.

Results: There were a total of 1,775 respondents to the survey (90% White; 99.9% identified as women; median age, 47.5 years; range, 23-75). 89.5% reported a moderate to great deal of change to their sexual health and 84.8% reported a moderate to great deal of distress because of sexual health changes. The most common sexual symptoms were decreased interest in sex (85.8%), vaginal dryness (78.2%), decreased arousal (69.2%), body image concerns (60%), and dyspareunia (59.4%), fatigue (46.1%), and difficulty with orgasm (41%). 72.3% reported sexual health changes have affected their relationships with their partner. Seventy-three percent did not receive information from about sexual health from their health care team and of those who did, 71% initiated the conversation themselves. Eighty percent of patients received information about sexual health from social media, primarily from health care professional accounts (71%).

Conclusion: Sexual health concerns are highly prevalent and distressing for breast cancer survivors and currently remain largely unaddressed and untreated, and these results demonstrate the need to address sexual health concerns and highlight the role of social media for education.