Top

Supportive Care in Cancer

Published in:

01-09-2013 | Original Article

Menopausal symptoms, sexual function, depression, and quality of life in Korean patients with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy

Authors: Hyojung Park, Hyeon Gyeong Yoon

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 9/2013

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to study the relationships among menopausal symptoms, sexual function, depression, and quality of life in women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy.

Methods

Two hundred women participated in this cross-sectional study. Data were collected with the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II), and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy—Breast Cancer (FACT-B). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, Scheffe’s test, and Pearson product moment correlations using SPSS v. 20.

Results

Participants had alterations in menopausal symptoms and sexual function, and were depressed with a decreased quality of life. These factors are known to influence satisfaction with family support (p < 0.05) and sexual relationships (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Nurses should provide education to women with breast cancer on their sexual issues and encourage them to attend family support programs. They should also encourage family members to be proactive in addressing menopausal and depressive symptoms in these women with a goal to enhance their sexual functioning and quality of life.

National Cancer Information Center (2008) National cancer information, http://www.cancer.go.kr/cms/statics/. Accessed 10 January 2012

National Cancer Information Center (2009) National cancer information. http://www.cancer.go.kr/ncic/cics_b/01/013/1268116_5873.html. Accessed 25 January 2012

Brem S, Kumar NB (2011) Management of treatment-related symptoms in patients with breast cancer: current strategies and future directions. Clin J Oncol Nurs 15(1):63–71CrossRef

Epplein M, Zheng Y, Zheng W et al (2011) Quality of life after breast cancer diagnosis and survival. J Clin Oncol 29(4):406–412CrossRef

Choi BJ, Park JH, Choe BM, Han SH, Kin SH (2011) Factors influencing anxiety and depression in patients with breast cancer treated with surgery. J Korean Soc Bio Ther Psychiatry 17(1):87–95

Partridge A, Gelber S, Gelber RD et al (2007) Age of menopause among women who remain premenopausal following treatment for early breast cancer: long term results from international breast cancer study group trials V and VI. Eur J Cancer 43:1646–1653CrossRef

Chang SB, Lee KH, Chung CW (2008) Factors of occurrence of amenorrhea and climacteric symptoms in patients with breast cancer underwent chemotherapy. Korean J Women Health Nurs 14(3):189–195CrossRef

Bauld R, Brown RF (2009) Stress, psychological distress, psychosocial factors, menopause symptoms and physical health in women. Maturitas 62(2):160–165CrossRef

The Korean Society Menopause (2011) Hormone replacement therapy and breast cancer in postmenopausal women. J Korean Soc Menopause 17(3):125–126CrossRef

10.

Deecher DC, Dorries K (2007) Understanding the pathophysiology of vasomotor symptoms (hot flushes and night sweats) that occur in perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause life stages. Arch Womens Ment Health 10(6):247–257CrossRef

11.

Dizon DS (2009) Quality of life after breast cancer: survivalship and sexuality. Breast J 15(5):500–504CrossRef

12.

Manganiello A, Hoga LAK, Reberte LM et al (2011) Sexuality and quality of life of patients with breast cancer post mastectomy. Eur J Oncol Nurs 15(2):165–172CrossRef

13.

Saevarsdottir T, Fridriksdottir N, Gunnarsdottir S (2010) Quality of life and symptoms of anxiety and depression of patients receiving cancer chemotherapy. Cancer Nurs 33(1):1–10CrossRef

14.

Kim HY, So HS, Chae MJ (2009) Sexual function of breast cancer survivors and healthy women: a comparative study. J Korean Oncol Nurs 9(1):60–66

15.

Breen SJ, Baravelli CM, Schofield PE et al (2009) Is symptom burden a predictor of anxiety and depression in patients with cancer about to commence chemotherapy? Med J Aust 190(7):99–104CrossRef

16.

Gwede CK, Small BJ, Munster PN, Andrykowski MA, Jacobsen PB (2008) Exploring the differential experience of breast cancer treatment related symptoms: a cluster analytic approach. Support Care Cancer 16:925–933CrossRef

17.

Knobf MT (2008) “Coming to grips” with chemotherapy-induced premature menopause. Health Care Women Int 29(4):384–399CrossRef

18.

So WKW, Marsh G, Ling WM et al (2010) Anxiety, depression and quality of life among Chinese patients with breast cancer during adjuvant therapy. Eur J Oncol Nurs 14(1):17–22CrossRef

19.

Gupta P, Sturdee DW, Palin SL et al (2006) Menopausal symptoms in women treated for breast cancer: the prevalence and severity of symptoms and their perceived effects on quality of life. Climacteric 9(1):49–58CrossRef

20.

Winnie KW, Marsh G, Ling WM et al (2009) The symptom cluster of fatigue, pain, anxiety, and depression and the effect on the quality of life of women receiving treatment for breast cancer: a multicenter study. Oncol Nurs Forum 36(4):205–214CrossRef

21.

World Health Organization (2009) Pharmacological treatment of mental disorders in primary health care. Author, Geneva

22.

Reyno LM, Levine MN, Skingley P et al (1993) Chemotherapy induced amenorrhea in a randomised trial of adjuvant chemotherapy duration in breast cancer. Eur J Cancer 29A:21–23CrossRef

23.

Heinemann LAJ, Potthoff P, Schneider HPG (2003) International versions of the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS). Health Qual Life Outcomes 1(1):28–31CrossRef

24.

Rosen R, Brown C, Heiman J et al (2000) The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI): a multidimensional self-reported instrument for the assessment of female sexual function. J Sex Marital Ther 26(2):191–208CrossRef

25.

Kim H, So H, Park K et al (2002) Development of the Korean-version of Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Kor J Androl 20(1):50–56

26.

Beck AT, Steer RA, Ball R, Ranieri WF (1996) Comparison of the Beck Depression Inventories-I A and II in psychiatric outpatients. J Pers Assess 67:588–797CrossRef

27.

Sung HM, Kim JB, Park YN et al (2008) A study on the reliability and the validity of Korean version of the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). J Korean Soc Ther Psychiatry 14(2):201–212

28.

Brady MJ, Cella DF, Mo F et al (1997) Reliability and validity of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy—Breast quality of life instrument. J Clin Oncol 15:974–986CrossRef

29.

Wiegel M, Meston C, Rosen R (2005) The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI): cross-validation and development of clinical cutoff scores. J Sex Marital Ther 31(1):1–20CrossRef

30.

Song SH, Jeon H, Kim SW, Paick JS, Son H (2008) The prevalence and risk factors of female sexual dysfunction in young Korean women: an internet-based survey. J Sex Med 5:1694–1701CrossRef

31.

Heinemann K, Ruebig A, Potthoff P et al (2004) The Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) scale: a methodological review. Health Qual Life Outcomes 45(2):1–8

32.

Cheon SS, Chio SY (2010) A study on the relationship among family support, stress and quality of life on according to the phases of illness in patients with breast cancer. Korean J Women Health Nurs 16(1):9–19CrossRef

33.

Fobair P, Spegel D (2009) Concerns about sexuality after breast cancer. Cancer 15(1):19–26CrossRef

34.

Shell JA, Carolan M, Zhang Y, Meneses KD (2008) The longitudinal effects of cancer treatment on sexuality in individuals with lung cancer. Oncol Nurs Forum 35(1):73–79CrossRef

35.

Kim HY, So HS, Chae MJ, Kim KM (2008) Comparisons of quality of life, sexual function, and depression in sexually active or inactive groups of women with mastectomy. J Korean Oncol Nurs 8(2):77–85

36.

Kim KH, Kwon HJ, Choi MH, Kim JA, Kim KS (2009) The relationship of sexual satisfaction and daily stress in the patients with breast cancer. J Korean Adult Nurs 21:529–537

37.

Hoga LAK, Mello DS, Dias AF (2008) Psychosocial perspectives of the partners of patients with breast cancer treated with a mastectomy: an analysis of personal narratives. Cancer Nurs 31(4):318–325CrossRef

38.

Chun N (2010) Predictors of sexual desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain in women with gynecologic cancer. J Korean Acad Nurs 40(1):24–32CrossRef

39.

Rabin EG, Heldt E, Hirakata VN et al (2009) Depression and perceptions of quality of life of breast cancer survivors and their male partners. Oncol Nurs Forum 36(3):153–158CrossRef

40.

Tae YS, Kim MY (2011) Relationships between family support, perceived health status, and self-esteem in Korean women breast cancer. J Korean Onco Nurs 11(1):41–48CrossRef

41.

Nho JH, Park YS (2012) Descriptive study on sexuality for women with gynecological cancer. Korean J Women Health Nurs 18(1):17–27CrossRef

42.

Park JH, Jun EH, Kang MY, Joung YS, Kim GS (2009) Symptom experience and quality of life in breast cancer survivors. J Korean Acad Nurs 39(5):613–621CrossRef

43.

Beckjord E, Campas BE (2007) Sexual quality of life in women with newly diagnosed breast cancer. J Psychosoc Oncol 25(2):19–36CrossRef

44.

Can G, Oskay U, Durna Z et al (2008) Evaluation of sexual function of Turkish women with breast cancer receiving systemic treatment. Oncol Nurs Forum 35:471–476CrossRef

45.

Huang CY, Guo SE, Huang CM et al (2010) Learned resourcefulness, quality of life, and depressive symptoms for patients with breast cancer. Oncol Nurs Forum 37(4):E280–287CrossRef

46.

Munro BH (2005) Statistical methods for health care research, 4th edn. Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia

47.

Karakoyun-Celik O, Gorken I, Sahin S et al (2010) Depression and anxiety levels in women under follow-up for breast cancer: relationship to coping with cancer and quality of life. Med Oncol 27(1):108–113CrossRef

48.

Arving C, Sjode’n P, Bergh J et al (2007) Individual psychosocial support for breast cancer patients: a randomized study of nurse versus psychologist interventions and standard care. Cancer Nurs 39(3):E10–19CrossRef

Title: Menopausal symptoms, sexual function, depression, and quality of life in Korean patients with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy
Authors: Hyojung Park
Hyeon Gyeong Yoon
Publication date: 01-09-2013
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 9/2013
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-013-1815-6

Webinar | 19-02-2024 | 17:30 (CET)

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on antibody–drug conjugates in cancer

Watch now

Antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) are novel agents that have shown promise across multiple tumor types. Explore the current landscape of ADCs in breast and lung cancer with our experts, and gain insights into the mechanism of action, key clinical trials data, existing challenges, and future directions.

Dr. Véronique Diéras

Prof. Fabrice Barlesi

Developed by: Springer Medicine

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 9/2013

Psychological resilience contributes to low emotional distress in cancer patients

Music-based interventions in palliative cancer care: a review of quantitative studies and neurobiological literature

Evaluating the effects of lenalidomide induction therapy on peripheral stem cells collection in patients undergoing autologous stem cell transplant for multiple myeloma

Insights into Chinese perspectives on do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders from an examination of DNR order form completeness for cancer patients

Effects of a 12-week home-based exercise program on the level of physical activity, insulin, and cytokines in colorectal cancer survivors: a pilot study

Efficacy and tolerability of two scalp cooling systems for the prevention of alopecia associated with docetaxel treatment

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on antibody–drug conjugates in cancer