Sexual function and satisfaction in Mexican young women undergoing breast cancer treatment.
e21714 Background: Compared to other regions, the burden of breast cancer (BC) in Mexico is disproportionately borne by younger women. Yet, their particular needs and concerns have remained understudied, including treatment-related sexual adverse effects. We aim to assess the sexual function and satisfaction in Mexican young women with BC undergoing treatment. Methods: This is a prospective sexual assessment study in BC patients of the pilot phase of the Joven y Fuerte Mexican cohort (N=96). Sexual health was assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the Sexual Satisfaction Inventory (SSI) at two points in time: baseline (BL) and 6-months follow-up (6-FU). FSFI and SSI scores lower than 26.55 and 111, respectively, were defined as sexual morbidity. Differences between proportions of BL and 6-FU were examined with Pearson chi-square test. Matched t-tests were used to test for differences in the domains of the FSFI and in the SSI total score. Results: 70 women completed the FSFI at both time points and 69 the SSI. Our results showed a high percentage of sexual dysfunction among Mexican women at BL and 6-FU (61.4% and 74.3%, respectively, p<0.001), as well as an elevated proportion of sexual low satisfaction at both time lines (40.6% and 43.5%, p=0.004). Most 6-FU FSFI domain scores were significantly worse than those at BL (Table 1). There were no significant differences in the SSI total score (102.31 [BL] vs 96.11 [6-FU], p=0.16). Conclusions: Mexican young patients with BC report significant sexual morbidity at BL, which even worsens after the first short follow-up. Reasons for the low sexual performance among Mexican women remain understudied and should be actively sought. In this prospective study, data will be annually collected for five years. This information will provide valuable information in an often-neglected matter of BC patients’ care. [Table: see text]