Factors Affecting the Impact of Breast Cancer on Body Image and Sexual Functioning

The diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer impacts a woman on many levels. Women often experience a wide range of psychological and sexual difficulties. The psychosocial and psychosexual impact of this disease is influenced by a number of factors including medical factors, individual factors, and relationship factors. Overall, breast cancer treatments (medical factors) did not disrupt sexual functioning or body image. Instead, depression and fatigue (individual factors) were found to impact women's sexual functioning, and depression was related to women's own body image as well as how she perceived her male partner to view her body. Lastly, women's perceptions of their male partners' view of their bodies (relationship factor) were related to the women's own body image and marital satisfaction. Results suggest a more optimistic view regarding the anticipated negative consequences of a breast cancer diagnosis.