Work

Sexual functioning in women with breast cancer ― role of depression, accompanying stress, and coping strategies

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: Breasts play a significant role in body image and are perceived as a symbol of femininity and sexuality, which makes a cancer diagnosis particularly difficult on an emotional level. Subjective experiences of depression significantly and negatively affect the sexual lives of patients who have undergone mastectomy, thereby reducing their quality of life by influencing physical, social, and emotional aspects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted among 151 women diagnosed with breast cancer and took place from September 2025 to January 2026. The diagnostic survey method was employed, along with the following research tools: Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), the Coping Inventory-Mini-COPE, and self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Among the studied group of patients, 47% reported a subjective feeling of depression, and 68.2% were observed to have sexual dysfunction. The FSFI scale domains correlated significantly negatively with the PSS-10 and Beck Depression Scale. The total FSFI score correlated significantly positively with the Mini-COPE scale. Only one domain, namely self-blame, correlated significantly negatively. Factors influencing sexual dysfunction included the type of treatment (immunotherapy), depressive factors, and the coping strategy of self-blame. CONCLUSIONS: The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) showed a negative correlation with both PPS-10 and BDI. Among the coping strategies assessed by the Mini-Cope, only one domain negatively correlated with total FSFI. Mental state and the type of treatment were significant factors influencing sexual dysfunction in women with breast cancer treated surgically.

Source: Ginekologia Polska

DOI: 10.5603/gpl.111010