ABSTRACT: Sexual Functioning in Long-Term Breast Cancer Survivors Treated with Adjuvant Chemotherapy Broeckel JA, Thors CL, Jacobsen PB, Small M, Cox CE. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA. Background: Previous reports suggest that problems in sexual functioning may be common among long-term (>5 years) breast cancer survivors. To investigate this issue further, we examined the characteristics and correlates of sexual functioning in women diagnosed with breast cancer at least 5 years previously and treated with adjuvant chemotherapy and in an age-matched comparison group of women with no history of cancer. Results: Compared with women with no history of cancer, long-term breast cancer survivors reported worse sexual functioning (P <= 0.01), characterized by greater lack of sexual interest, inability to relax and enjoy sex, difficulty becoming aroused, and difficulty achieving an orgasm. Additional analyses indicated that severity of vaginal dryness was significantly (P <= 0.05) related to poorer sexual functioning among long-term breast cancer survivors and mediated the relationship between group membership (breast cancer survivor v.s. noncancer comparison subject) and sexual functioning. Conclusions: These findings confirm and extend previous reports of impaired sexual functioning among long-term breast cancer survivors. Results further suggest that relief of vaginal dryness should be an essential component of efforts to improve sexual functioning among long-term breast cancer survivors. [09/05/2002; Breast Cancer Research and Treatment] Breast Cancer Res Treat 2002 Oct;75(3):241-8 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.