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Cancer research

Staged Sexual Health Education Improves Sexual and Mental Health in Breast Cancer Patients

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A recent randomized controlled study published in Supportive Care in Cancer found that staged sexual health education can significantly improve the sexual and mental health of breast cancer patients. The study, conducted by researchers at the Fifth Affiliated Hospital in Zhuhai, China, involved 94 patients with breast cancer who were assigned to either a control group or an intervention group. The intervention group received standard and staged sexual health education, while the control group received only standard education. The researchers used various questionnaires, including the Quality of Sexual Life Questionnaire (QSL) and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), to assess the patients' sexual and mental health status at different time points.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study's researchers aimed to assess the impact of staged sexual health education on improving the sexual and mental health of patients with breast cancer.
  • A total of 94 patients with breast cancer were assigned to the control or intervention group, with the intervention group receiving staged sexual health education.
  • The Quality of Sexual Life Questionnaire (QSL), Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Self-rated Depression Scale (SDS), and Self-rated Anxiety Scale (SAS) were used to assess the patients' health status.
  • The QSL scores in the intervention group were significantly higher than those in the control group at the final time point (T3) (P < 0.05).
  • Staged sexual health education can help patients with breast cancer understand their sexual health-related knowledge, restore their normal sexual life, and improve their FSFI and QSL.
  • The study's findings suggest that staged sexual health education can have a positive impact on the sexual and mental health of breast cancer patients.
  • The study's researchers used a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design to assess the effectiveness of staged sexual health education.

Statistics:

  • 94 patients with breast cancer were involved in the study.
  • The Quality of Sexual Life Questionnaire (QSL) scores in the intervention group were significantly higher than those in the control group at the final time point (T3) (P < 0.05).
  • The study found a significant improvement in the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) scores in the intervention group compared to the control group.

Sources:

  • The effects of staged sexual health education on sexual and mental health in breast cancer patients: a randomized controlled study. Supportive Care in Cancer, 2025;33(10):891.
  • NewsRx. Recent Findings from Fifth Affiliated Hospital Provide New Insights into Breast Cancer (The effects of staged sexual health education on sexual and mental health in breast cancer patients: a randomized controlled study). Mental Health Weekly Digest. October 13, 2025; p 575.

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