Publicação
Breast cancer survivor’s sexual health unmet supportive care needs
| Resumo: | Purpose: Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies affecting women worldwide. Despite advances in early detection and treatment improving long-term survival rates, the sexual health needs of breast cancer survivors (BCS) remain overlooked due to the predominant focus on biomedical outcomes. In Portugal, as in many other countries, these needs are frequently neglected, despite evidence showing their significant impact on the quality of life. This study aims to explore the unmet sexual health needs of BCS in Portugal, identify barriers to addressing these issues in oncological settings, and outline key requirements for developing effective interventions to improve their quality of life. Methods: A mixed-methods design was used, combining quantitative data from 336 BCS, assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and EORTC QLQ-C30/BR23 questionnaires, with qualitative data from semi-structured interviews with 11 survivors. Interviews explored unmet sexual health needs and satisfaction with oncology support services. Data were analyzed descriptively and thematically. Results: Quantitative findings showed low sexual functioning, particularly in desire and arousal, and high levels of sexual pain. Emotional functioning scored lowest in quality-of-life assessments, with fatigue, insomnia, and pain as prevalent symptoms. Qualitative results highlighted unmet needs, including a lack of sexuality-related information, body image concerns, limited psychosexual support, and insufficient partner involvement. Conclusions: Participants reported poor sexual functioning and quality of life, with critical sexual health needs unaddressed in care. Implications for Cancer Survivors: Integrating tailored sexual health support—including psychoeducational and therapeutic interventions—into oncology services may enhance survivors’ emotional well-being, relational intimacy, and overall quality of life. |
|---|---|
| Autores principais: | Ferreira, Diana |
| Outros Autores: | Quinta-Gomes, Ana Luísa; Pieramico, Sonia; Weiderpass, Elisabete; Santana, Rui; Andersson, Gerhard; Mendes-Santos, Cristina |
| Assunto: | Acceptance and commitment therapy Breast cancer survivors Cognitive-behavior therapy Internet intervention Sexual health Oncology Oncology(nursing) SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being |
| Ano: | 2026 |
| País: | Portugal |
| Tipo de documento: | artigo |
| Tipo de acesso: | acesso aberto |
| Instituição associada: | Universidade Nova de Lisboa |
| Idioma: | inglês |
| Origem: | Repositório Institucional da UNL |
| _version_ | 1868984257370652672 |
|---|---|
| author | Ferreira, Diana |
| author2 | Quinta-Gomes, Ana Luísa Pieramico, Sonia Weiderpass, Elisabete Santana, Rui Andersson, Gerhard Mendes-Santos, Cristina |
| author2_role | author author author author author author |
| author_facet | Ferreira, Diana Quinta-Gomes, Ana Luísa Pieramico, Sonia Weiderpass, Elisabete Santana, Rui Andersson, Gerhard Mendes-Santos, Cristina |
| author_role | author |
| contributor_name_str_mv | Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública (ENSP) Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC) - Pólo ENSP Centro de Investigação em Saúde Pública (CISP/PHRC) Springer New York RUN |
| country_str | PT |
| creators_json_txt | [{\"Person.name\":\"Ferreira, Diana\"},{\"Person.name\":\"Quinta-Gomes, Ana Luísa\"},{\"Person.name\":\"Pieramico, Sonia\"},{\"Person.name\":\"Weiderpass, Elisabete\"},{\"Person.name\":\"Santana, Rui\"},{\"Person.name\":\"Andersson, Gerhard\"},{\"Person.name\":\"Mendes-Santos, Cristina\"}] |
| datacite.contributors.contributor.contributorName.fl_str_mv | Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública (ENSP) Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC) - Pólo ENSP Centro de Investigação em Saúde Pública (CISP/PHRC) Springer New York RUN |
| datacite.creators.creator.creatorName.fl_str_mv | Ferreira, Diana Quinta-Gomes, Ana Luísa Pieramico, Sonia Weiderpass, Elisabete Santana, Rui Andersson, Gerhard Mendes-Santos, Cristina |
| datacite.date.Accepted.fl_str_mv | 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z |
| datacite.date.available.fl_str_mv | 2026-04-15T10:52:02Z |
| datacite.date.embargoed.fl_str_mv | 2026-04-15T10:52:02Z |
| datacite.rights.fl_str_mv | http://purl.org/coar/access_right/c_abf2 |
| datacite.subjects.subject.fl_str_mv | Acceptance and commitment therapy Breast cancer survivors Cognitive-behavior therapy Internet intervention Sexual health Oncology Oncology(nursing) SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being |
| datacite.titles.title.fl_str_mv | Breast cancer survivor’s sexual health unmet supportive care needs a mixed-methods study |
| dc.contributor.none.fl_str_mv | Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública (ENSP) Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC) - Pólo ENSP Centro de Investigação em Saúde Pública (CISP/PHRC) Springer New York RUN |
| dc.creator.none.fl_str_mv | Ferreira, Diana Quinta-Gomes, Ana Luísa Pieramico, Sonia Weiderpass, Elisabete Santana, Rui Andersson, Gerhard Mendes-Santos, Cristina |
| dc.date.Accepted.fl_str_mv | 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z |
| dc.date.available.fl_str_mv | 2026-04-15T10:52:02Z |
| dc.date.embargoed.fl_str_mv | 2026-04-15T10:52:02Z |
| dc.format.none.fl_str_mv | application/pdf |
| dc.identifier.none.fl_str_mv | http://hdl.handle.net/10362/202234 |
| dc.language.none.fl_str_mv | eng |
| dc.rights.none.fl_str_mv | http://purl.org/coar/access_right/c_abf2 |
| dc.subject.none.fl_str_mv | Acceptance and commitment therapy Breast cancer survivors Cognitive-behavior therapy Internet intervention Sexual health Oncology Oncology(nursing) SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being |
| dc.title.fl_str_mv | Breast cancer survivor’s sexual health unmet supportive care needs a mixed-methods study |
| dc.type.none.fl_str_mv | http://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_6501 |
| description | Purpose: Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies affecting women worldwide. Despite advances in early detection and treatment improving long-term survival rates, the sexual health needs of breast cancer survivors (BCS) remain overlooked due to the predominant focus on biomedical outcomes. In Portugal, as in many other countries, these needs are frequently neglected, despite evidence showing their significant impact on the quality of life. This study aims to explore the unmet sexual health needs of BCS in Portugal, identify barriers to addressing these issues in oncological settings, and outline key requirements for developing effective interventions to improve their quality of life. Methods: A mixed-methods design was used, combining quantitative data from 336 BCS, assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and EORTC QLQ-C30/BR23 questionnaires, with qualitative data from semi-structured interviews with 11 survivors. Interviews explored unmet sexual health needs and satisfaction with oncology support services. Data were analyzed descriptively and thematically. Results: Quantitative findings showed low sexual functioning, particularly in desire and arousal, and high levels of sexual pain. Emotional functioning scored lowest in quality-of-life assessments, with fatigue, insomnia, and pain as prevalent symptoms. Qualitative results highlighted unmet needs, including a lack of sexuality-related information, body image concerns, limited psychosexual support, and insufficient partner involvement. Conclusions: Participants reported poor sexual functioning and quality of life, with critical sexual health needs unaddressed in care. Implications for Cancer Survivors: Integrating tailored sexual health support—including psychoeducational and therapeutic interventions—into oncology services may enhance survivors’ emotional well-being, relational intimacy, and overall quality of life. |
| dirty | 0 |
| eu_rights_str_mv | openAccess |
| format | article |
| fulltext.url.fl_str_mv | https://run.unl.pt/bitstreams/182751fe-feed-406d-8e8c-f68c9f420daf/download |
| id | run_e4e6fe91c848d061367e8f73e7ca400b |
| identifier.url.fl_str_mv | http://hdl.handle.net/10362/202234 |
| inst_facet_str | urn:organizationAcronym:unl{{{_:::_}}}Universidade Nova de Lisboa |
| instacron_str | unl |
| institution | Universidade Nova de Lisboa |
| instname_str | Universidade Nova de Lisboa |
| language | eng |
| network_acronym_str | run |
| network_name_str | Repositório Institucional da UNL |
| oai_identifier_str | oai:run.unl.pt:10362/202234 |
| organization_str_mv | urn:organizationAcronym:unl |
| person_str_mv | Ferreira, Diana Quinta-Gomes, Ana Luísa Pieramico, Sonia Weiderpass, Elisabete Santana, Rui Andersson, Gerhard Mendes-Santos, Cristina |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| repo_facet_str | urn:repositoryAcronym:run{{{_:::_}}}Repositório Institucional da UNL |
| reponame_str | Repositório Institucional da UNL |
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| service_str_mv | urn:repositoryAcronym:run |
| spelling | engenPurpose: Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies affecting women worldwide. Despite advances in early detection and treatment improving long-term survival rates, the sexual health needs of breast cancer survivors (BCS) remain overlooked due to the predominant focus on biomedical outcomes. In Portugal, as in many other countries, these needs are frequently neglected, despite evidence showing their significant impact on the quality of life. This study aims to explore the unmet sexual health needs of BCS in Portugal, identify barriers to addressing these issues in oncological settings, and outline key requirements for developing effective interventions to improve their quality of life. Methods: A mixed-methods design was used, combining quantitative data from 336 BCS, assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and EORTC QLQ-C30/BR23 questionnaires, with qualitative data from semi-structured interviews with 11 survivors. Interviews explored unmet sexual health needs and satisfaction with oncology support services. Data were analyzed descriptively and thematically. Results: Quantitative findings showed low sexual functioning, particularly in desire and arousal, and high levels of sexual pain. Emotional functioning scored lowest in quality-of-life assessments, with fatigue, insomnia, and pain as prevalent symptoms. Qualitative results highlighted unmet needs, including a lack of sexuality-related information, body image concerns, limited psychosexual support, and insufficient partner involvement. Conclusions: Participants reported poor sexual functioning and quality of life, with critical sexual health needs unaddressed in care. Implications for Cancer Survivors: Integrating tailored sexual health support—including psychoeducational and therapeutic interventions—into oncology services may enhance survivors’ emotional well-being, relational intimacy, and overall quality of life.application/pdfenBreast cancer survivor’s sexual health unmet supportive care needsSubtitleena mixed-methods studyFerreira, DianaQuinta-Gomes, Ana LuísaPieramico, SoniaWeiderpass, ElisabeteSantana, RuiAndersson, GerhardMendes-Santos, CristinaEscola Nacional de Saúde Pública (ENSP)Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC) - Pólo ENSPCentro de Investigação em Saúde Pública (CISP/PHRC)Springer New YorkHostingInstitutionOrganizationalRUNe-mailmailto:run@unl.ptrun@unl.ptISSNIsPartOf1932-2259URNIsPartOfPURE: 160528205URNIsPartOfPURE UUID: 8e94cf08-99c5-4912-8de3-5c8148f49cb4URNIsPartOfScopus: 105027283728URNIsPartOfPubMed: 41526763URNIsPartOfWOS: 001659620800001DOIIsPartOf10.1007/s11764-025-01926-x2026-04-15T10:52:02Z20262026-01-01T00:00:00ZHandlehttp://hdl.handle.net/10362/202234http://purl.org/coar/access_right/c_abf2open accessAcceptance and commitment therapyBreast cancer survivorsCognitive-behavior therapyInternet interventionSexual healthOncologyOncology(nursing)SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being801742 bytesliteraturehttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_6501journal articlehttp://purl.org/coar/access_right/c_abf2application/pdffulltexthttps://run.unl.pt/bitstreams/182751fe-feed-406d-8e8c-f68c9f420daf/download |
| spellingShingle | Breast cancer survivor’s sexual health unmet supportive care needs Ferreira, Diana Acceptance and commitment therapy Breast cancer survivors Cognitive-behavior therapy Internet intervention Sexual health Oncology Oncology(nursing) SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being |
| status | SINGLETON |
| subject.fl_str_mv | Acceptance and commitment therapy Breast cancer survivors Cognitive-behavior therapy Internet intervention Sexual health Oncology Oncology(nursing) SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being |
| title | Breast cancer survivor’s sexual health unmet supportive care needs |
| title_full | Breast cancer survivor’s sexual health unmet supportive care needs |
| title_fullStr | Breast cancer survivor’s sexual health unmet supportive care needs |
| title_full_unstemmed | Breast cancer survivor’s sexual health unmet supportive care needs |
| title_short | Breast cancer survivor’s sexual health unmet supportive care needs |
| title_sort | Breast cancer survivor’s sexual health unmet supportive care needs |
| topic | Acceptance and commitment therapy Breast cancer survivors Cognitive-behavior therapy Internet intervention Sexual health Oncology Oncology(nursing) SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being |
| topic_facet | Acceptance and commitment therapy Breast cancer survivors Cognitive-behavior therapy Internet intervention Sexual health Oncology Oncology(nursing) SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/10362/202234 |
| visible | 1 |