Taking their wellbeing into their own hands: Self-educated and peer-recommended techniques used by women with breast cancer to improve sexual functioning during treatment and in survivorship.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Coping with sexual dysfunction during and after breast cancer treatment is a persistent challenge for many women, even with clinician-offered standard sexual rehabilitative therapies (i.e., lubricants, counseling). This study sought to explore how women with breast cancer supplement clinician recommendations with self-discovered and peer-recommended techniques for improving sexual functioning and provide insight into how well they work.

Methods

Adult women with stage I-IV breast cancer were recruited to participate in a one-time online survey via Breastcancer.org. Thematic analysis identified emergent domains and themes focused on techniques for improving sexual function during and after treatment. Frequencies were calculated to quantify technique sources and perce

SUBMITTER: von Hippel C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10650983 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature