Sexuality, a topic that surgeons should discuss with women before risk-reducing mastectomy and breast reconstruction

Rieky E. G. Dikmans, Tim C. van de Grift, Mark-Bram Bouman, Andrea L. Pusic, Margriet G. Mullender

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

While sexual health is an important aspect of quality of life, sexual issues usually go unaddressed during patient-provider communication. Breast cancer treatments and specifically breast surgery impact women's sexual well-being. However, women do not receive adequate information on this subject. Women who underwent prophylactic mastectomy and breast reconstruction invariably reported that they had underestimated the impact of mastectomy and reconstruction on their sexuality, and expressed a need for information and creating realistic expectations pertaining to sexuality. Therefore, we urge breast surgeons to take the lead in addressing sexuality along with other health-related quality-of-life outcomes during pre-operative consultation.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)120-122
Number of pages3
JournalBreast
Volume43
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2019

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