Predictors of sexual health in women after a breast cancer diagnosis

Purpose: To identify variables that might be predictive of sexual health (i nterest, dysfunction, and satisfaction) in a large sample of breast cancer survivors, with a validation conducted in a second, independent sample. Patients and Methods: On the basis of a conceptual framework of sexual heal th in breast cancer survivors, we performed multivariable regression analys es to estimate sexual interest, dysfunction, and satisfaction in both sampl er. Additional analyses were performed using stepwise regression and recurs ive partitioning to explore in each sample the relative contributions of th e independent variables toward predicting the outcome measures. Results: The models for sexual interest accounted for at least 33% of the v ariance, and the significant predictors common to the two samples were havi ng a new partner since the diagnosis of breast cancer, mental health score, and body image score. For sexual dysfunction, the models in the two sample s explained at least 33% of the variance, and the common significant predic tors were vaginal dryness, past chemotherapy use, and having a new partner since diagnosis. The sexual satisfaction models explained at least 27% of t he variance, with the common significant predictors being the quality of th e partnered relationship and sexual problems in the partner. Conclusion: Among the predictors of sexual health, several are mutable (vag inal dryness, emotional wellbeing, body image, the quality of the partnered relationship, and sexual problems in the partner), and these should be con sidered for future interventions to address the sexual health and well-bein g of breast cancer survivors. (C) 1999 by American Society of Clinical Onco logy.