Sexual function in women diagnosed with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome

Journal article

Background: Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome (HBOC) predisposes women to an increased risk mainly of breast and tubo-ovarian cancer. The aim of the study is to investigate whether being diagnosed with HBOC syndrome is itself a risk factor for sexual dysfunction.

Methods: An ad hoc questionnaire, including baseline demographic and clinical data, and the Sexual Function Questionnaire 28 (SFQ28) were administered to HBOC female carriers (study group) and to a control group.

Results: After propensity score matching (1:1), we enrolled 202 women, 101 in the study group and 101 in the control group. In a multivariate analysis, we finally found that menopausal status was the only risk factor for a significant low score in the domains Desire (HR 0.66; CI95% 0.47–0.93; p = 0.017), Arousal (Lubrication) (HR 0.52; CI95% 0.34–0.80; p = 0.003), Arousal (Cognitive) (HR 0.64; CI95% 0.44–0.95; p = 0.027), and Orgasm (HR 0.33; CI95% (0.16–0.70; p = 0.004), independent of risk-reducing surgery for gynecological malignancy. Psycho-oncology support is a protective factor for the Enjoyment domain (HR 1.38; CI95% 1.05–1.81; p = 0.022).

Conclusions: HBOC syndrome itself does not affect SFQ28 domains, while menopausal status significantly influences sexual health, with potential mitigating effects of psycho-oncological support.

 

Authors: Ferrari, F; Amonti, J; Giannini, A; Soleymani Majd, H; Zizioli, V

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: MDPI
• Journal: Cancers
• Volume: 16
• Issue: 14
• Article number: 2601
• Place of publication: Switzerland
• Publication date: 2024-07-21
• Acceptance date: 2024-07-20
• DOI: 10.3390/cancers16142601
• EISSN: 2072-6694
• Pmid: 39061239
• Language: English
• Keywords: sexual dysfunction; BRCA1; sexual health; BRCA2; SFQ28; hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome