Sexual scripts among Brazilian women living with breast cancer

SummaryIntroductionBreast cancer can have repercussions on the sexual experience of women due to body modifications resulting from treatments.ObjectiveTo understand how breast cancer and its treatments affect the sexuality of women by its interaction with the psychosocial and cultural aspects that permeate sexual life after treatment.MethodThis qualitative study was based on the theory of sexual scripts to interpret the material obtained by individual interviews with semi-structured guide, focus groups and thematic group activities. Thirty-six women who were enrolled in a supportive care center for breast cancer participated of this study.ResultsThree categories were identified: firstly, script of sexuality based on traditional gender roles. Sexuality is seen as restricted to sexual intercourse alone and based on strictly defined female and male social roles. In this script, breast cancer generated fear of abandonment by the partner; secondly, script of sexuality related to ageing. Connections were found between perceptions of the aging process causing changes in the sexual experience independently from changes due to breast cancer; thirdly, script of sexuality based on well-being. Here there is desire on the part of the women concerned for a sexual experience providing sexual pleasure. Some of the women perceived the decline of their sexual life as a consequence of cancer treatment. For others, their sexual life remained satisfactory thanks to partner support. Some women even reported improvement in their sexual life due to strengthening of their relationship.ConclusionBetter knowledge of the psychosocial and cultural aspects that affect female sexuality after breast cancer can contribute to improvement of health care.