Changes in Heterosexual Couples’ Sexuality During the First Two Years After Breast Cancer Surgery: A Longitudinal Descriptive Study

Article Article scientifique Article Changes in Heterosexual Couples’ Sexuality During the First Two Years After Breast Cancer Surgery: A Longitudinal Descriptive Study eng 2024-05-31 author Cairo Notari Sarah 0000-0003-2623-2881 706164 Section de psychologie (PSICO) author Mathieu Thierry 0000-0001-8502-1908 932659 Section de psychologie (PSICO) author Favez Nicolas 0000-0003-1744-7602 23914 Section de psychologie (PSICO) author Adam-Vienot Françoise Marguerite 0000-0002-5258-4330 77847 661-679 10.1007/s11195-024-09854-x 0146-1044 https://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11195-024-09854-x <p>The study aims to describe couples’ changes in sexuality after non-metastatic breast cancer from a longitudinal perspective. Our research question was: how do couples experience the cancer-induced change in sexual frequency and what are the reasons evoked to explain this kind of change over time? Forty heterosexual couples participated in a semi-structured interview three months and two years after surgery. A reflexive thematic analysis was conducted on a specific question about sexuality from a larger interview guide. The results showed that couples follow multiple trajectories regarding sexuality after the onset of oncological treatment. Most couples experienced temporary or more lasting changes, mainly associated with altered body image and pain. Some stopped having sexual activities at the beginning of treatment but resumed sexuality two years later; others were unable to restore sexuality. However, some couples stayed sexually active all along the cancer journey, showing that cessation of any sexual activity is not inevitable. Sexuality represents a significant long-term issue for breast cancer survivors and their partners. Prompt treatment can prevent sexual difficulties from crystallizing, while preserving the individual well-being and the quality of the couple’s relationship. Health professionals should be aware of the need to screen early for sexual changes, while reevaluating the couple’s situation regularly during care.</p> Dewey 150 108 Section de psychologie 71 false Sexuality and disability 42 3 f729a66d-2312-4fea-a1a5-65a4221ba5f6 Article (Published version) Public Article_scientifique_from_unpaywall.pdf 1037511 application/pdf CC BY 36cac692d57289a34415a4921fd71d31828ce731681ce4ef691c098bc56975c3 openAccess Faculté de psychologie et des sciences de l'éducation / Section de psychologie

Title	Published in	Access level	OA Policy	Year	Views	Downloads

Changes in Heterosexual Couples’ Sexuality During the First Two Years After Breast Cancer Surgery: A Longitudinal Descriptive Study	Sexuality and disability			2024	61	279

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Adam-Vienot, Françoise Marguerite