Sexual quality of life in hormonotherapy for breast cancer patients

• Published in: Brazilian Journal of Oncology Vol. 18
• Main Authors: Silva Filho, Pedro Paulo Perroni da, Capassi, Ana Clara Salviato, Haddad, Carolina Federicci, Santos, Larissa Araujo, Maia, Marina Vieira, Hatamoto, Nadia Yumi, Pires, Luis Antonio, Delgado, Gilson Luchezi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Oncologia Clínica, Sociedade Brasileira de Cirurgia Clínica and Sociedade Brasileira de Radioterapia 01.12.2022
• Subjects: anastrozole; antineoplastic agents, hormonal; breast neoplasms; quality of life; sexual dysfunction, physiological; tamoxifen
• ISSN: 2526-8732; 2526-8732
• DOI: 10.5935/2526-8732.20220347

Objectives: To evaluate how hormonal therapy can impact breast cancer patients sexual quality of life and compare two widely used therapeutic agents: anastrozole and tamoxifen. Studies so far have evaluated the side effects of such therapy on patients general quality of life, but literature remains scarce regarding the impact it has on sexual aspects. We believe there is a demand for a detailed view of these aspects since most patients undergo these treatments for at least five years. Material and Methods: Transverse observational study evaluated in 2019, 41 women with a history of breast cancer, all of them undergoing hormonal therapy. Group presented a mean age of 55.4 years (35 to 77 years); those in menopause with a mean time of menopause of 10.92 years (2 to 28 years). Thirty-eight women lived maritally and/or were sexually active. The mean duration of treatment was 36.84 months. We analyzed data in pre-and postmenopausal women, evaluating the results of questionnaires with general parameters (age, treatment time, general quality of life, adaptation to therapy) as well as specific instruments for evaluation of sexual dysfunction (FSDS-R) and quality of life with specific aspects for breast cancer (FACT-B). The results were placed in 2×2 contingency tables comparing the group receiving tamoxifen versus anastrozole. Results and Conclusion: Tamoxifen compared to anastrozole is a drug with apparent less impact on most common sexual dysfunctions (orgasm, dyspareunia, and feeling good quality of sex life), following those already published in international literature. We found no impact on physical, socio-familiar, and emotional well-being. Finally, we conclude that the results of this study significantly contribute to the choice of adequate therapeutic agent and highlight the need to bring this topic during routine consults and to the decision with the patient for the best suited treatment option.