Fatemeh Farhadi Cheshmeh Morvari, Parvaneh Mousavi, Hojatollah Shahbazian, Sayed Ali Marashi, Mohammad Hosein Haghighizadeh

Abstract

Background & Aim: Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer and the most concerned health issue among women. Mastectomy that is used in the treatment of breast cancer, causes physical and mental stress and may lead to fundamental changes specially body image problems and sexual satisfaction that are important part of quality of life of cancer survivals. Thus, the present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effect of cognitive behavioral therapy on sexual satisfaction of women with breast cancer after mastectomy.  
Methods & Materials: This interventional study was conducted on 21 eligible women with breast cancer referred to the oncology department of Golestan Hospital of Ahvaz who underwent mastectomy and had low sexual satisfaction. Cognitive behavioral therapy was implemented in eight group sessions of 90 minutes once per week for 3 groups based on the researcher-made package (Cognitive-behavioral therapy in women with breast cancer) under the supervision of psychology professor. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 22 software and independent T-Test and paired t-test at 95% confidence level. Results:  There was no significant difference between the control and experimental groups in terms of mean scores of demographic variables (p >0/05). A significant difference was observed in the mean scores of sexual satisfaction in the experimental group before and after intervention (p<0.001). However, there was no significant difference between mean scores of sexual satisfaction in the control group before and after intervention (p=0.34). Conclusion:  Cognitive-behavioral therapy has a desirable effect on sexual satisfaction in women with breast cancer after mastectomy. Therefore, it is recommended for clinics and centers providing service to these patients to use this method of treatment.