Body mass index (BMI), postoperative appearance satisfaction, and sexual function in breast cancer survivorship
Abstract
Purpose We sought to explore the correlation between BMI and postoperative sexual function, body image, and breast-specific sensuality before and after breast cancer surgery.Methods A cross-sectional survey of patients at least 1 year from surgery employed the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and investigator-generated questions. Patients who underwent lumpectomy (L), mastectomy (M), and mastectomy with reconstruction (MR) were compared across three BMI groups: normal weight, overweight, and obese.Results Two hundred fifty-five patients underwent lumpectomy (L, n = 174), mastectomy (M, n = 22), or mastectomy with reconstruction (MR, n = 59). Median age was 57 (range 30-93) and median BMI was 28 (range 19-45). Obese and overweight women reported more appearance dissatisfaction (18.1 and 13.0%) than normal weight women (4.1%) (p = 0.01). Lower satisfaction was associated with increasing BMI within the MR group (p = 0.05). The obese group's median FSFI score met criteria for sexual dysfunction (25.90, range 11.30-33.10). More overweight women reported their chest played an important role in intimacy before and after surgery, but a postoperative decline in the importance of this role was observed in all groups.Conclusions Greater post-treatment BMI is inversely related to postoperative appearance satisfaction, particularly in those undergoing mastectomy with reconstruction. The role of the breast in intimacy is greatest in overweight women, but decreases postoperatively in all BMI groups.Implications for cancer survivors Postoperative appearance satisfaction and sexual function seems to be correlated to post-treatment BMI, which highlights the need to encourage perioperative weight management for improved survivorship outcomes.
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In the United States, BMI and body image satisfaction were inversely related in women who did not undergo reconstruction after mastectomy.
“The survey observed that body mass index (BMI) and body image satisfaction were inversely related in women who did not undergo reconstruction after mastectomy.”
From Coping in Post-Mastectomy Breast Cancer Survivors and Need for Intervention: Systematic Review. (2023) · cites this paper as [24]
In the United States, women with higher BMI had more issues with the appearance of their chest.
“Women with higher BMI had more issues with the appearance of their chest.”
From Coping in Post-Mastectomy Breast Cancer Survivors and Need for Intervention: Systematic Review. (2023) · cites this paper as [24]
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- Authors
- Rojas, K. E., Matthews, N., Raker, C., Clark, M. A., Onstad, M., Stuckey, A., & Gass, J.
- Affiliations
- Brown University (US)
- Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island (US)
- University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School (US)
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (US)
- Corresponding author
- Rojas, K. E.
- Venue
- Journal of Cancer Survivorship
- Published
- 2017-10-17
- Volume
- 12
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 127-133
- ISSN
- 1932-2259 (ISSN-L)
- 1932-2267
- OpenAlex
- W2766299441
- Cited by
- 36
- References
- 23
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 4
- FWCI
- 5.04
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Cancer Survivorship (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- eScholarship@UMassChan (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Breast Implant and Reconstruction
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Women's cancer prevention and management
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
- Keywords
- body mass index, breast cancer survivors, body image, sexual function, sexual dysfunction, breast reconstruction, breast-conserving surgery, mastectomy, intimacy, overweight, obesity, weight management
- MeSH terms
- Survivorship, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Body Image, Breast Neoplasms, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Humans, Mastectomy, Middle Aged, Personal Satisfaction, Postoperative Period, Sexual Behavior, Mastectomy, Segmental, Body Mass Index
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