Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 9, 2026

Orthotopic Transplantation of Breast Tumors as Preclinical Models for Breast Cancer
Published on: May 18, 2020
Breast specific functional and symptom analysis in female breast cancer survivors
Shaqul Qamar Wani1, Talib Khan2, Saiful Yamin Wani3
1Department of Radiation Oncology, Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
Context:
The disease and surgery of the breast not only evoke a fear of mutilation and loss of feminity but is also responsible for psychosocial, behavioral, and sexual problems.
Aim:
To analyze prospectively the time trends in "breast specific functional and symptom scale scores in female breast cancer survivors."
Settings And Design:
The prospective study was conducted in the Department of Radiation Oncology at Tertiary Referral Hospital.
Materials And Methods:
A total of 154 operated (mastectomy) female breast cancer patients who were referred to the Department of Radiation Oncology for chemoradiation ± target therapy (trastuzumab) ± hormonal therapy (tamoxifen) were included in the study. Seven patients were excluded from the final analysis due to their refusal to consent. The patients were assessed by using European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life-BR23 questionnaire module (which incorporates five multi-item and three single items scales) at 1st visit (0 month), 6, 12, and 24 months interval, respectively.
Results:
The symptom scores and future perspectives scale showed improvement with time, but body image and sexual functioning and enjoyment scales showed the deteriorating trend. P < 0.05 was considered as significant.
Conclusion:
The female breast cancer survivors failed to improve their body image, sexual functioning, and sexual enjoyment scales but did well in other BR23 scales. Besides the family and spousal/marital support these patients got closer to their religion which has been seen to influence their psychosocial well-being optimistically and need further studies to establish the role of religious practices/beliefs.
Related Concept Videos
Cancer Survival Analysis
Infertility in Females
Endometriosis, a condition characterized by abnormal growth of...
External Female Genitals
Disorders of the Female Reproductive System
Diabetes: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Complications
Negative and Cognitive Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Negative Symptoms
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia manifest as deficits in normal emotional and behavioral functioning, profoundly impacting daily life. Individuals with schizophrenia often display a flat affect, characterized by a near-total absence of emotional expression,...

