UNDERSTANDING BODY IMAGE AND SEXUAL DYSFUNCTIONS AMONG WOMEN WITH BREAST CANCER IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

Breast cancer often leads to significant changes in a woman’s physical appearance due to treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation. These changes can profoundly affect a woman’s body image, and sexual health. Breasts symbolize femininity and sexuality. Surgery affects the sexual lives of women with BC. This quantitative study was completed through correlational research design. Survey was conducted for the purpose of data collection.  Sample of 172 breast cancer patients were selected through purposive sampling technique from Multan Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Radiotherapy and Combined Military Hospital Multan. Two research instruments were used; Body Image Scale (Hopwood et al., 2001) and An Integrated Sexual Function Questionnaire for Women with Breast Cancer (Jeng et al., 2020). Findings of the study reveal that negative correlation was explored among disturbed body image, breast role, sexual desire, and sexual satisfaction. In addition, there was found a significant positive relationship between disturbed body image and sexual dysfunction (sexual obstacle). Furthermore, results suggest that the main sexual dysfunctions that women experience after being diagnosed with breast cancer  are dyspareunia, vaginal dryness, decreased pleasure, fear of loss of fertility, loss of femininity, loss of attractiveness, decreased sexual arousal, decreased desire and sexual interest, lack of empathy in the intimacy of the couple’s relationship.  Moreover, women with age range 19-50 years reported grater level of body image disturbance, breast role and sexual obstacle as compared to women with age of above 51 years old. Mass education and training on breast self-examination may reduce the mortality rate and helps for early disease diagnosis.