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Rodríguez-Almagro J, Hernández Martínez A, Martínez-Vázquez S, Peinado Molina RA, Bermejo-Cantarero A, Martínez-Galiano JM. A Qualitative Exploration of the Perceptions of Women Living with Pelvic Floor Disorders and Factors Related to Quality of Life. J Clin Med 2024; 13:1896. [PMID: 38610661 PMCID: PMC11012559 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13071896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Pelvic floor dysfunction encompasses conditions like urinary and fecal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and pelvic pain, significantly affecting women's quality of life. Despite its prevalence, few studies have adopted a qualitative approach to understanding women's perceptions and emotions regarding these issues. This study aims to delve into how women with pelvic floor disorders perceive their condition and its impact on their daily lives. Methods: We analyzed qualitative data from interviews with 160 women suffering from pelvic floor dysfunctions. Using inductive qualitative content analysis, we systematically examined the data to identify variations, differences, and similarities. Results: The analysis revealed four primary themes in the women's narratives: "Physical Impacts", "Emotional and Psychological Impacts", "Social and Relational Impacts", and "Sexual Health Impacts", along with 12 subthemes. The findings predominantly highlight how pelvic floor dysfunctions detrimentally affect women's quality of life and emotional well-being, instilling fear and insecurity in daily activities, compounded by sleep disturbances and sexual dysfunction. Conclusions: Women living with pelvic floor dysfunction face multifaceted challenges that adversely affect various aspects of their lives, diminishing their overall quality of life. This includes notable impacts on sleep, physical, and sexual activities. However, not all affected women report these issues, often due to fear of stigma, choosing instead to conceal their struggles in an effort to maintain an appearance of normalcy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julián Rodríguez-Almagro
- Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Ciudad Real Faculty of Nursing, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 13001 Ciudad Real, Spain; (A.H.M.); (A.B.-C.)
| | - Antonio Hernández Martínez
- Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Ciudad Real Faculty of Nursing, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 13001 Ciudad Real, Spain; (A.H.M.); (A.B.-C.)
| | - Sergio Martínez-Vázquez
- Department of Nursing, University of Jaen, 23071 Jaen, Spain; (S.M.-V.); (R.A.P.M.); (J.M.M.-G.)
| | | | - Alberto Bermejo-Cantarero
- Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Ciudad Real Faculty of Nursing, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 13001 Ciudad Real, Spain; (A.H.M.); (A.B.-C.)
| | - Juan Miguel Martínez-Galiano
- Department of Nursing, University of Jaen, 23071 Jaen, Spain; (S.M.-V.); (R.A.P.M.); (J.M.M.-G.)
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
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Ma Y, Lu Z, Qiu J, Luo H, Tang L, Li Y, Li P. Symptom experience in endocrine therapy for breast cancer patients: A qualitative systematic review and meta-synthesis. Asia Pac J Oncol Nurs 2024; 11:100364. [PMID: 38293603 PMCID: PMC10827404 DOI: 10.1016/j.apjon.2023.100364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective The purpose of this study was to systematically integrate the experience of symptoms of breast cancer patients receiving endocrine therapy, analyze the patients' understanding and coping status of symptoms, and provide information for the development of targeted symptom management measures. Methods We searched databases including PubMed/MEDLINE, MEDLINE (Ovid), Web of Science, EMBASE (Ovid), CINAHL (EBSCO), and ProQuest from inception to September 25, 2023. Literature was screened and analyzed using Endnote software, evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tool for Qualitative Research, and the results were integrated using JBI's Pooled Integration Methodology. Results Three composite findings were derived from 10 studies: symptom distress during endocrine therapy; coping in symptom experience; and support needs. Conclusions Emphasis should be placed on the symptomatic experience of breast cancer patients undergoing endocrine therapy, and effective interventions should be developed to improve patients' medication compliance and quality of life. Finally, the long-term survival rate of patients is improved. Systematic review registration CRD42023466073.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Ma
- Department of Nursing, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenqi Lu
- Department of Nursing, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiajia Qiu
- Department of Nursing, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Huiyu Luo
- Department of Nursing, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fujian, China
| | - Lichen Tang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Yun Li
- Department of Nursing, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ping Li
- Department of Nursing, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Torres-Balanzá S, Fuentes-Aparicio L, Mena-Del Horno S, Martínez-Aspas A, Sempere-Rubio N. Sexual Perception in Spanish Female Breast Cancer Survivors. Cross-Sectional Survey. Clin Breast Cancer 2023; 23:15-22. [PMID: 36357269 DOI: 10.1016/j.clbc.2022.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim was to assess sexual perception in female breast cancer survivors and establish if women presenting with sexual dysfunctions symptoms receive pelvic floor physiotherapy or request information on treatment. METHODS Cross-sectional survey carried out between January and March 2021. An online survey designed by the authors was structured in 3 dimensions: demographic and anthropometric data, medical data and sexual perception data. An open format survey with 23 questions available to any website visitor. The survey followed the CHERRIES guidelines. The study included 130 women who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. RESULTS The presence of pain during sexual activity was reported in 56.92% of cases. Specifically, 40.8% reported superficial dyspareunia, which is most commonly expressed by women as a "stinging pain." Surprisingly, only 4.6% of the women had received any type of pelvic floor physiotherapy treatment or had sought information. CONCLUSIONS Women breast cancer survivors have a negative perception of their sexuality. In addition, there is a lack of knowledge about the role of physiotherapy in sexual dysfunction, and only a small percentage of women received pelvic floor treatment or information to address their sexual dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Laura Fuentes-Aparicio
- Department of Physiotherapy, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain; PTinMOTION. Physiotherapy in Motion, Multispeciality Research Group, Department of Physiotherapy, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain.
| | | | - Ana Martínez-Aspas
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Service, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain; POG department (pediatrics, obstetrics, and gynecology), Faculty of Medicine, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Núria Sempere-Rubio
- Department of Physiotherapy, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain; Clinical Biomechanics Research Unit (UBIC), Department of Physiotherapy, Universitat de València, València, Spain
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Experiences of pelvic floor dysfunction and treatment in women with breast cancer: a qualitative study. Support Care Cancer 2022; 30:8139-8149. [PMID: 35788772 PMCID: PMC9255500 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-022-07273-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Purpose To explore the experiences of women with breast cancer and pelvic floor (PF) dysfunction and the perceived enablers and barriers to uptake of treatment for PF dysfunction during their recovery. Method Purposive sampling was used to recruit 30 women with a past diagnosis of breast cancer and PF dysfunction. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and data were analysed inductively to identify new concepts in the experiences of PF dysfunction in women with breast cancer and deductively according to the capability, opportunity, motivation and behaviour (COM-B) framework to identify the enablers and barriers to the uptake of treatment for PF dysfunction in women with breast cancer. Results Participants were aged between 31 and 88 years, diagnosed with stages I–IV breast cancer and experienced either urinary incontinence (n = 24/30, 80%), faecal incontinence (n = 6/30, 20%) or sexual dysfunction (n = 20/30, 67%). They were either resigned to or bothered by their PF dysfunction; bother was exacerbated by embarrassment from experiencing PF symptoms in public. Barriers to accessing treatment for PF dysfunction included a lack of awareness about PF dysfunction following breast cancer treatments and health care professionals not focussing on the management of PF symptoms during cancer treatment. An enabler was their motivation to resume their normal pre-cancer lives. Conclusion Participants in this study reported that there needs to be more awareness about PF dysfunction in women undergoing treatment for breast cancer. They would like to receive information about PF dysfunction prior to starting cancer treatment, be screened for PF dysfunction during cancer treatment and be offered therapies for their PF dysfunction after primary cancer treatment. Therefore, a greater focus on managing PF symptoms by clinicians may be warranted in women with breast cancer.
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Moskalewicz A, Di Tomaso A, Kachura JJ, Scime S, Nisenbaum R, Lee R, Haq R, Derzko C, Brezden-Masley C. Gynecologic Symptoms among Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer Patients on Oral Endocrine Therapy: A Cross-Sectional Study. Curr Oncol 2022; 29:1813-1827. [PMID: 35323349 PMCID: PMC8947613 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol29030149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2022] [Revised: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Endocrine therapy (ET) for hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer can contribute to gynecologic symptoms (GS) that impact vaginal health, sexual function, and quality of life (QoL). A cross-sectional study was conducted at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, Canada between July 2017 and June 2018 to examine the occurrence and frequency of GS among HR+ breast cancer patients on ET, patient-provider communication, female sexual dysfunction (FSD), and QoL. A Treatment Experience questionnaire was developed for this study and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Menopause-Specific Quality of Life questionnaire (MENQOL) were also administered. Of 151 patients surveyed, 77 (51.0%) were on tamoxifen and 74 (49.0%) on an aromatase inhibitor. Most patients (84.1%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 77.3% to 89.5%) experienced at least one GS “all the time” or “often”, or one or more infections, in the past year. Only 44 (31.9%) patients reported that their oncologist had ever previously asked them about experiencing GS. The prevalence of FSD was 61.2% (95% CI 46.2% to 74.8%) among 49 sexually active patients that completed the FSFI. Symptoms captured in the MENQOL’s vasomotor domain were deemed most bothersome. Side effect management and patient-provider communication should be prioritized to optimize GS, vaginal health, and sexual function of ET users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Moskalewicz
- St. Michael’s Hospital, 30 Bond Street, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8, Canada; (A.M.); (A.D.T.); (S.S.); (R.L.); (R.H.); (C.D.)
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, 155 College Street Suite 425, Toronto, ON M5T 3M6, Canada
| | - Amy Di Tomaso
- St. Michael’s Hospital, 30 Bond Street, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8, Canada; (A.M.); (A.D.T.); (S.S.); (R.L.); (R.H.); (C.D.)
- Mount Sinai Hospital, 1284-600 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5G 1X5, Canada;
| | - Jacob J. Kachura
- Mount Sinai Hospital, 1284-600 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5G 1X5, Canada;
| | - Samantha Scime
- St. Michael’s Hospital, 30 Bond Street, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8, Canada; (A.M.); (A.D.T.); (S.S.); (R.L.); (R.H.); (C.D.)
| | - Rosane Nisenbaum
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, 209 Victoria Street, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8, Canada;
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street 6th Floor, Toronto, ON M5T 3M7, Canada
| | - Ronita Lee
- St. Michael’s Hospital, 30 Bond Street, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8, Canada; (A.M.); (A.D.T.); (S.S.); (R.L.); (R.H.); (C.D.)
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Rashida Haq
- St. Michael’s Hospital, 30 Bond Street, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8, Canada; (A.M.); (A.D.T.); (S.S.); (R.L.); (R.H.); (C.D.)
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Christine Derzko
- St. Michael’s Hospital, 30 Bond Street, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8, Canada; (A.M.); (A.D.T.); (S.S.); (R.L.); (R.H.); (C.D.)
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Christine Brezden-Masley
- St. Michael’s Hospital, 30 Bond Street, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8, Canada; (A.M.); (A.D.T.); (S.S.); (R.L.); (R.H.); (C.D.)
- Mount Sinai Hospital, 1284-600 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5G 1X5, Canada;
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, 209 Victoria Street, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8, Canada;
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, 600 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5G 1X5, Canada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-416-586-8605; Fax: +1-416-586-8659
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Sheng Y, Carpenter JS, Cohee AA, Storey S, Stump TE, Monahan PO, Cella D, Champion VL. Genitourinary Symptoms in Breast Cancer Survivors: Prevalence, Correlates, and Relationship With Sexual Functioning. Oncol Nurs Forum 2021; 48:229-241. [PMID: 33600393 DOI: 10.1188/21.onf.229-241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate (a) the prevalence of genitourinary symptoms, (b) which demographic and clinical factors predict genitourinary symptoms, and (c) the association between genitourinary symptoms and sexual functioning in breast cancer survivors. SAMPLE & SETTING A secondary analysis of cross-sectional, patient-reported outcomes data from 1,085 breast cancer survivors was conducted. METHODS & VARIABLES Prevalence and correlations with demographics, clinical factors, and sexual functioning were identified using descriptive analysis, multivariable logistic regression analysis, chi-square tests, t tests, and Pearson correlation coefficients. RESULTS Symptoms included vaginal/vulvar irritation, pelvic discomfort, problems with urinary control, vaginal infection, and vaginal bleeding. Younger age, more comorbidities, and taking treatment for menopausal symptoms were significantly related to reporting genitourinary symptoms. Experiencing more symptoms was associated with lower sexual functioning. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING The prevalence, correlates, and relationship of genitourinary symptoms with sexual functioning supports the assessment and treatment of these symptoms as part of routine care for breast cancer survivors.
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Binhussien BF, Ghoraba M. Awareness of breast cancer screening and risk factors among Saudi females at family medicine department in security forces hospital, Riyadh. J Family Med Prim Care 2019; 7:1283-1287. [PMID: 30613512 PMCID: PMC6293920 DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_286_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: To describe the level of knowledge about breast cancer screening and breast cancer risk factors according to sociodemographic characteristics and to know the most common source of their knowledge among the females participating in this study. Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study conducted through distributing validated pretested Arabic questionnaire. The sample are Saudi adult females age 18–55 years attending the Family Medicine Department at Security Forces Hospital for healthcare services or accompanying patients. Results: Of 384 participants, 57% were aware that lump or thickening in the breast could be a sign of breast cancer and 68% knew bleeding or discharge from nipple as a warning sign of breast cancer. Fortunately, 291 women (75.8%) have a good knowledge about breast cancer risk factors, and only 93 women (24.4%) have poor knowledge. Regarding knowledge about the screening of breast cancer, 60.9% knew breast self-examination and clinical breast examination (CBE) are the methods of early detection of breast cancer. About 53.1% of women have heard about CBE. Conclusion: All the participants showed sufficient knowledge about the risk factors and symptoms of breast cancer but insufficient knowledge about screening methods. These findings are encouraging for public awareness about how to screen themselves and guidance to health authorities for developing effective breast healthcare programs in the entire Kingdom for the all-female population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Medhat Ghoraba
- Family Medicine Center, Security Forces Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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