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Body image and sexuality concerns in women with breast cancer-related lymphedema: a cross-sectional study

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Abstract

Purpose

(1) To determine, in women with breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL), the frequency, intensity and distress of body image and sexuality concerns. (2) To examine relationships between body image and sexuality concerns, and lymphedema, personal and cancer treatment factors.

Method

Women with BCRL (n = 64) completed the Lymphedema Symptom Intensity and Distress Scale – Arm (LSIDS-A), which focuses on the intensity and distress of a range of lymphedema symptoms. They also underwent a lymphedema assessment. Responses to eight questions from the LSIDS-A regarding sexuality, body image and intimate relationships were considered. Frequency of responses was tabulated. Multiple linear regressions were used to determine if specific factors were related to higher intensity and distress scores associated with body image and sexuality issues.

Results

Body image and sexuality concerns were common (48%, 23% respectively). Participants reported a range (0–10) of intensity and distress related to body image and sexuality symptoms. Univariate linear regression revealed greater intensity of sexuality concerns was associated with younger age, whilst distress related to sexuality concerns was associated with higher inter-arm bioimpedance ratio and shorter duration of lymphedema. Body image concerns were not related to any considered factors.

Conclusion

Body image and sexuality concerns are common, intense and distressing for patients with breast cancer lymphedema. Assessment of both the intensity and distressed caused by these symptoms is necessary to understand the impact of lymphedema.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank David Cantwell for his time, assistance and advice on the data analysis for this study.

Funding

This study was funded by a grant from Cancer Australia, obtained by SLK.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Discipline of Physiotherapy, Sydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia

    Emma Hoyle, Sharon Kilbreath & Elizabeth Dylke

Authors
  1. Emma Hoyle
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  2. Sharon Kilbreath
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  3. Elizabeth Dylke
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Contributions

Emma Hoyle: methodology, data analysis and writing original draft; Elizabeth Dylke: methodology, data collection, data analysis and writing—review and editing. Sharon Kilbreath: methodology, data collection and writing review and editing.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Elizabeth Dylke.

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Ethics approval

This study had appropriate ethical approval (Human Research Ethics Committee; HREC/09/HARBR/4; 0902-004 M).

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All participants provided written consent prior to participating in this study.

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No participants are identifiable.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Hoyle, E., Kilbreath, S. & Dylke, E. Body image and sexuality concerns in women with breast cancer-related lymphedema: a cross-sectional study. Support Care Cancer 30, 3917–3924 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-021-06751-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-021-06751-3

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