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Sexual dysfunction in breast cancer survivors: cross-cultural adaptation of the sexual activity questionnaire for use in Portugal

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posted on 2023-06-09, 03:20 authored by Filipa Alves Da Costa, Manuel Castro Ribeiro, Sofia Braga, Elisabete Carvalho, Fátima Francisco, Ana Da Costa Miranda, António Moreira, Lesley FallowfieldLesley Fallowfield
Introduction: The increasing survivor population of breast cancer has shifted research and practice interests into the impacts of the disease and treatment in quality of life aspects. The lack of tools available in Portuguese to objectively evaluate sexual function led to the development of this study, which aimed to cross-culturally adapt and validate the Sexual Activity Questionnaire for use in Portugal. Material and Methods: The questionnaire was translated and back-translated, refined following face-to-face interviews with seven breast cancer survivors, and then self administered by a larger sample at baseline and a fortnight later to test validity and reliability. Results: Following cognitive debriefing (n = 7), minor changes were made and the Sexual Activity Questionnaire was then tested with 134 breast cancer survivors. A 3-factor structure explained 75.5% of the variance, comprising the Pleasure, Habit and Discomfort scales, all yielding good internal consistency (Cronbach’s a > 0.70). Concurrent validity with the FACt-An and the BCPT checklist was good (Spearman’s r > 0.65; p-value < 0.001) and reliability acceptable (Cohen’s k > 0.444). The Sexual Activity Questionnaire allowed the identification of 23.9% of sexually inactive women, for whom the main reasons were lack of interest or motivation and not having a partner. Discussion: Patient-reported outcomes led to a more comprehensive and improved approach to cancer, tackling areas previously abandoned. Future research should focus on the validation of this scale in samples with different characteristics and even in the overall population to enable generalizability of the findings. Conclusion: The adapted Sexual Activity Questionnaire is a valid tool for assessing sexual function in breast cancer survivors in Portugal.

Funding

Merck Foundation

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

Acta Médica Portuguesa

ISSN

0870-399X

Publisher

Ordem dos Medicos

Issue

9

Volume

29

Page range

533-541

Department affiliated with

  • Sussex Health Outcomes Research & Education in Cancer (SHORE-C) Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2016-10-06

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2016-10-06

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2016-10-06

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