ArticlePloS one2023
Taking their wellbeing into their own hands: Self-educated and peer-recommended techniques used by women with breast cancer to improve sexual functioning during treatment and in survivorship.
Article in PloS one, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed.
- Impact of exercise on sexual health, body image, and therapy-related symptoms in women with metastatic breast cancer: The randomized controlled PREFERABLE-EFFECT trial.International journal of cancer · 2025Trial
- Intimacy and Relationships Among Partnered Danes With and Without a History of Cancer: Findings From the Project SEXUS Cohort Study.Psycho-oncology · 2026Article
- Impact of Therapy on Health-Related Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Patients >60 Years.Breast care (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Self-Esteem and Sexual Well-Being.Nursing research and practice · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
Abstract
objectiveCoping with sexual dysfunction during and after breast cancer treatment is a persistent challenge for many women, even with clinician-offered standard sexual rehabilitative therapies (i.e., lubricants, counseling). This study sought to explore how women with breast cancer supplement clinician recommendations with self-discovered and peer-recommended techniques for improving sexual functioning and provide insight into how well they work.
methodsAdult women with stage I-IV breast cancer were recruited to participate in a one-time online survey via Breastcancer.org. Thematic analysis identified emergent domains and themes focused on techniques for improving sexual function during and after treatment. Frequencies were calculated to quantify technique sources and perceived efficacy levels.
resultsOf 501 women responding to the survey, mean age was 53 years (range 30-79). Overall, 34.7% reported using a technique they discovered themselves or that was recommended by someone other than a clinician to improve sexual functioning. Four main themes regarding techniques included: 1) pain reduction, 2) intimacy and relationship enhancement, 3) desire and arousal enhancement, and 4) emotional coping. Most women discovered coping techniques without the help of clinicians, and 45.7% of women rated their techniques as moderately or more effective when used in addition to or instead of standard techniques offered by clinicians.
conclusionsOur study provides insight into how women with breast cancer successfully cope with sexual dysfunction symptoms during and after treatment. To fully understand and share patients' innovative techniques for coping with these symptoms, clinicians should foster open discussion about the potential for dysfuction and treatment for these symptoms, as well as avenues of peer-supported discussion to promote coping self-education and discovery.
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Registered trials
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