Factors Affecting Sexual Function and Body Image of Early-Stage Breast Cancer Survivors in Poland: A Short-Term Observation.

INTRODUCTION: Knowing the important factors influencing sexual function and body image might facilitate the recovery process of breast cancer survivors. Surgery type, relationship quality, and partner support might be modified to create a space for psychosexual intervention. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective questionnaire-based study was performed on 128 women aged 18 to 65 years who were free of disease at time of study entry and who underwent surgical treatment for breast cancer. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria were used to assessed female sexual dysfunction (FSD). Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire (CSFQ) were used to measure sexual function, whereas the Body Image After Breast Cancer Questionnaire (BIBCQ) was used to assess body image. The support of the partner was evaluated by the Provisions of Social Relation Scale (PSRS). RESULTS: The median age of the studied respondents was 52.5 ± 10.1 years. FSD was diagnosed in 27.3% women. Lower physical satisfaction in relationship (odds ratio [OR] = 2.3), undergoing mastectomy (OR = 4.1) higher level of anxiety (OR = 4.2), and shorter duration of relationship (OR = 1.1) as well as not receiving adjuvant chemotherapy (F = 3.54), higher level of emotional satisfaction in relationship (F = 20.32), longer time after completion of oncologic treatment (F = 8.76), undergoing breast-conserving therapy (compared to mastectomy) (F = 13.21), and lower level of anxiety (F = 31,25) were important factors for the prevalence of FSD and positive body image, respectively. CONCLUSION: Type of surgery, time after completion of treatment, level of anxiety, adjuvant chemotherapy, partner support, and satisfying quality of relationship are important factors for sexual function, sexual quality of life, and body image in female breast cancer survivors.

Final results of an international retrospective observational study in patients with advanced breast cancer treated with oral vinorelbine-based chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Full oral chemotherapy (CT) is an active and convenient therapeutic option for patients with advanced breast cancer (ABC). In this retrospective analysis, we reviewed the characteristics and the outcome of patients treated by oral vinorelbine either as a single-agent or in combination with capecitabine as first- or second-line CT in the metastatic setting. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analysed 216 patients with ABC who started treatment with a full oral CT at 13 centers and seven countries between 2006 and 2008. To be eligible, patients must have received either as a first-(56%) or second-line (44%) therapy oral vinorelbine as a single-agent (54%) or in combination with capecitabine (46%). RESULTS: Main patients' characteristics in the full population (n=216): median age (range): 61 (32-87) years; categories of age: <50 years: 18%, 50-65 years: 44%, ≥ 65 years: 38%; hormone receptor-positive: 63%; ≥ 2 metastatic sites: 58%; visceral metastases: 49%; prior CT: 86%; prior CT for ABC: 44%; prior anthracycline treatment: 69%; prior taxane treatment: 43%, prior anthracycline plus taxane: 38%; prior endocrine therapy: 63%. Median number of cycles: 6 (range=1-54); 48% of patients received more than 6 cycles. G3/4 toxicities: neutropenia 8%, anaemia 2%, thrombocytopenia 1%, febrile neutropenia/neutropenic infection 2%, nausea 6%, vomiting 4%, diarrhea 6%, fatigue 6%, hand-foot syndrome 14% (combination with capecitabine), neuropathy 1%, alopecia (grade 2) 1%. EFFICACY: disease control was achieved in 77% of patients [95% confidence interval=71-83%], 74% as single-agent, 81% in combination, 82% in first-line, 71% in second-line. Median progression-free survival was 9.7 months [95% confidence interval=8.2-12.6 months] in first-line and 6.6 months [95% confidence interval=5.5-8.5 months] in second-line therapy. Caregivers described these oral regimens as convenient (81%), well-tolerated (84%) and with a good compliance by patients (76%). CONCLUSION: These data from everyday practice confirm, as shown in different clinical trials, that oral vinorelbine is an active and well-tolerated CT for ABC, either as a first- or second-line in patients pre-treated with anthracyclines or taxanes. The convenience of its oral administration in association with its good tolerance profile, allows for continuation of treatment until disease progression without a pre-planned maximum of cycles.