Sexual Dysfunction in Breast Cancer Survivors: Cross-Cultural Adaptation of the Sexual Activity Questionnaire for Use in Portugal

Authors

  • Filipa Alves da Costa Serviço de Epidemiologia. Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil. Lisboa. Portugal. Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Egas Moniz. Costa da Caparica. Portugal.
  • Manuel Castro Ribeiro Serviço de Epidemiologia. Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil. Lisboa. Portugal. Centro de Recursos Naturais e Ambiente. Instituto Superior Técnico. Universidade de Lisboa. Lisboa. Portugal.
  • Sofia Braga Serviço de Oncologia Médica. Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil. Lisboa. Portugal.
  • Elisabete Carvalho Unidade de Investigação Clínica. Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil. Lisboa. Portugal.
  • Fátima Francisco Unidade de Investigação Clínica. Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil. Lisboa. Portugal.
  • Ana da Costa Miranda Serviço de Epidemiologia. Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil. Lisboa. Portugal.
  • António Moreira Serviço de Oncologia Médica. Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil. Lisboa. Portugal. Unidade de Investigação Clínica. Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil. Lisboa. Portugal.
  • Lesley Fallowfield Unit of Psycho Oncology. Sussex Health Outcomes Research & Education in Cancer (SHORE-C). Brighton & Sussex Medical School. University of Sussex. Sussex. United Kingdom.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20344/amp.7389

Keywords:

Breast Neoplasms/psychology, Portugal, Sexual Behavior/psychology, Sexuality/psychology, Surveys and Questionnaires, Validation Studies.

Abstract

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 α > 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.

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Author Biography

Filipa Alves da Costa, Serviço de Epidemiologia. Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil. Lisboa. Portugal. Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Egas Moniz. Costa da Caparica. Portugal.

Clinical Research, experienced in patient-reported outcomes (e.g. adherence and quality of life) and currently responsible for effectiveness studies in oncology (IPOLFG).

Involved in education of pharmacists and research in pharmacy practice, with special interests in the elderly, medicines management and pharmaceutical care (ISCSEM).

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Published

2016-09-30

How to Cite

1.
da Costa FA, Ribeiro MC, Braga S, Carvalho E, Francisco F, Miranda A da C, Moreira A, Fallowfield L. Sexual Dysfunction in Breast Cancer Survivors: Cross-Cultural Adaptation of the Sexual Activity Questionnaire for Use in Portugal. Acta Med Port [Internet]. 2016 Sep. 30 [cited 2024 Mar. 29];29(9):533-41. Available from: https://www.actamedicaportuguesa.com/revista/index.php/amp/article/view/7389

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Original