Body image, social support, effects of chemotherapy, and sexual desire in breast cancer patients

Muthia Octaviana Widianti, Sri Yona, Masfuri, Agung Waluyo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The number of patients with breast cancer in the world, including Indonesia, is high. Breast cancer survivors experience numerous physical, psychological, and social changes, which affect their sexual desire. Sexual desire is intimately linked with body image, social support, and side effects of chemotherapy. This study aimed to investigate the correlations of body image, social support, and side effects of chemotherapy with sexual desire. This cross-sectional study included 110 consecutive patients undergoing chemotherapy at public and private hospitals in Semarang and in a public hospital in Jakarta. The results demonstrated significant correlations between sexual desire and body image (P=.000), social support (P=.000), and side effects of chemotherapy (P=.003). The results of multivariate analysis showed that among the factors investigated, body image had the greatest effect on sexual desire. To address issues related to this decrease in sexual desire among patients with breast cancer, nurses should evaluate body image, social support, and side effects of chemotherapy soon after patients with breast cancer have undergone chemotherapy.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)323-330
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of International Dental and Medical Research
Volume12
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2019

Keywords

  • Body image
  • Breast cancer
  • Chemotherapy effects
  • Sexual desire
  • Social support

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Body image, social support, effects of chemotherapy, and sexual desire in breast cancer patients'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this