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Breast Cancer Research and Treatment
Published in: Breast Cancer Research and Treatment 2/2013

Open Access 01-09-2013 | Review

Screening for sexual dysfunction in women diagnosed with breast cancer: systematic review and recommendations

Authors: Iris Bartula, Kerry A. Sherman

Published in: Breast Cancer Research and Treatment | Issue 2/2013

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Abstract

Breast cancer patients are at increased risk of sexual dysfunction. Despite this, both patients and practitioners are reluctant to initiate a conversation about sexuality. A sexual dysfunction screening tool would be helpful in clinical practice and research, however, no scale has yet been identified as a “gold standard” for this purpose. The present review aimed at evaluating the scales used in breast cancer research in respect to their psychometric properties and the extent to which they measure the DSM-5/ICD-10 aspects of sexual dysfunction. A comprehensive search of the literature was conducted for the period 1992–2013, yielding 129 studies using 30 different scales measuring sexual functioning, that were evaluated in the present review. Three scales (Arizona Sexual Experience Scale, Female Sexual Functioning Index, and Sexual Problems Scale) were identified as most closely meeting criteria for acceptable psychometric properties and incorporation of the DSM-5/ICD-10 areas of sexual dysfunction. Clinical implications for implementation of these measures are discussed as well as directions for further research.
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Metadata
Title
Screening for sexual dysfunction in women diagnosed with breast cancer: systematic review and recommendations
Authors
Iris Bartula
Kerry A. Sherman
Publication date
01-09-2013
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Breast Cancer Research and Treatment / Issue 2/2013
Print ISSN: 0167-6806
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7217
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-013-2685-9

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