Self-Image and Sexuality Issues among Young Women with Breast Cancer: Practical Recommendations

Younger breast cancer survivors face a unique set of treatment-related issues that have enormous impact on quality of life and psychological well-being. Although there is often a profound and distressing impact of treatment on self-image and sexual function, women rarely receive any attention for these issues. Unfortunately, most clinicians receive no training on how to inquire about these problems and most clinicians feel unprepared to discuss them. Often this silence is due to a lack of ready resources and uncertainty of appropriate strategies for rehabilitation. Cultural barriers may also contribute to lack of attention to these issues.

The aim of this paper is to not only elucidate common problems regarding self-image and sexual dysfunction, but to also offer concrete guidance about inquiry using a simple checklist approach as well as tips for resources and other evidence-based intervention strategies. Samples of a checklist and resource sheet for women written in Spanish are included, and cultural considerations within a Hispanic/Latina framework will be noted. As the great majority of young breast cancer patients are now becoming long-term survivors, it is essential for clinicians to learn how to address distressing treatment-related late effects including diminished self-image and sexual dysfunction.