Sexual well being of breast cancer patients

Introduction. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women – both in Poland and around the world. In terms of the mortality rate, it subsides brest cancer with lung cancer. In 2018, almost 2 million new cases were reported worldwide, and almost 44 million women have been diagnosed with breast cancer in the last 5 years. Material. The aim of this paper is to present ways to improve the sexual well being of breast cancer patients. Methods. Analysis of the literature by oncologists, gynecologists, and psychologists was used for theoretical discussion. Results. Sexuality is an extremely important part of every woman’s life, including those suffering from breast cancer. Surgery of the breast, a symbol of a woman’s sexuality, and the negative effects of cancer therapy can alter a woman’s perception of her own body and lower her libido. Sexual therapy which should be based on multi-faceted activities, is an extremely important part of breast cancer treatment. Conclusions. Therapeutic possibilities may be based on psychological and sexual therapies as well as pharmacological support (moisturizers, silicone lubricants, tampons inserted for several minutes with 4% vaginal lidocaine before intercourse, topical gels with estrogens, ospemifen, DHEA, testosterone)

Sexual Health in breast cancer patients in Poland

Introduction.Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women in Poland and in the world, with a mor­tality rate second only to that of lung cancer. Breasts are one of the most important symbols of femininity and sexuality. Cancer surgery, but also systemic therapy (chemotherapy and hormone therapy) cause a change in the perception of one’s body. The aim of the survey proposed by us was to assess interest in sex by breast cancer patients during and after oncological treatment, as well as to identify ways to improve the quality of patients’ sex lives. Materials and methods.The proposed survey consisted of 3 parts: the first part included questions about the demo­graphic, in the second part there were the author’s questions about sexual dysfunction (12 questions), in the third part there was the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) form assessing the sexual functioning of women. The questionna­ires were made available online from October 13, 2020 to December 20, 2020 through the social networks of patient organizations involved in breast cancer care. 287 women diagnosed with breast cancer were included in the survey. Results.Before the disease almost all patients were sexually active and had a partner (95.5%; n = 274); at the time of filling the questionnaire only slightly more than half of the patients remained sexually active ( 57.1%; n = 164). About 30.7% (n = 88) stated that the disease was the main reason for not being sexually active. More than 60% of patients (60.9%; n = 137) used products to improve the comfort of sexual intercourse, mainly lubricants (39.7%; n = 114). Only about 1/3 of the patients (32.1%; n = 92) were satisfied with their sex life, 48.1% (n = 138) stated they were not satisfied with their sex life, 19.9% (n = 57) did not answer this question. The main reasons for lack of satisfaction with sex life included: decreased libido (65.9%; n = 189), vaginal dryness (55.1%; n = 158). The mean score of forms filled out by the respondents was 24.50 in FSFI form. Conclusions.Assessment of sexual dysfunction in patients with breast cancer should be performed on a routine basis before treatment and regularly during treatment

Associations between the dopamine D4 receptor gene polymorphisms and personality traits in elite athletes

Personality traits and temperament may affect sports performance. Previous studies suggest that dopamine may play an important role in behavior regulation and physical exercise performance. The aim of this study is to determine associations between dopamine D4 receptor gene (DRD4 Ex3) polymorphisms and personality traits (such as neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeability and conscientiousness) in elite combat athletes. A total of 302 physically active, unrelated, self-reported Caucasian participants were recruited for this study. The participants consisted of 200 elite male combat athletes and 102 healthy male participants (control group). For personality trait measurements, the NEO Five-Factor Personality Inventory (NEO-FFI) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory questionnaires were used. For the genetic assays, blood was collected and all samples were genotyped using the real-time PCR method. A 2 x 3 factorial ANOVA revealed statistically significant differences on the Openness NEO Five Factor Inventory scale for both examined factors, i.e. sport status and genetics DTD4 Ex3. Combat athletes achieved higher scores on the Conscientiousness NEO-FFI scale when compared to controls (7.18 vs 5.98). On the other hand, combat athletes scored lower on the Openness scale in comparison with control group (4.42 vs. 4.63). Subjects with the DRD4 Ex3 s/s genotype had lower results on the openness scale in comparison with participants with the DRD4 Ex3 s/1 genotype (4.01 vs. 4.57) and higher DRD4 Ex3 1/1 genotype (4,01 vs. 3,50). In conclusion, we found an association between the dopamine D4 receptor gene in variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphisms and athletic status for two NEO-FFI factors: Openness and Conscientiousness. The DRD4 exon 3 polymorphism may be associated with the selected personality traits in combat athletes, thereby modulating athletes’ predisposition to participate in high risk sports

PERSPECTIVEs on supervised exercise programs in people with metastatic breast cancer- a qualitative study in four European countries

PURPOSE: Supervised exercise is a potentially promising supportive care intervention for people with metastatic breast cancer (MBC), but research on the patients' perspective is limited. The aim of the current focus group study was to gain an in-depth understanding of MBC patients' perceived barriers, facilitators, and preferences for supervised exercise programs. METHODS: Eleven online focus groups with, in total, 44 MBC patients were conducted in four European countries (Germany, Poland, Spain, Sweden). Main topics of the semi-structured discussions covered attitudes towards participation in supervised exercise programs, perceived facilitators, experienced barriers, and exercise preferences. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, translated into English, and coded based on a preliminary coding framework, supplemented by themes emerging during the sessions. The codes were subsequently examined for interrelations and re-organized into overarching clusters. RESULTS: Participants had positive attitudes towards exercise, but experienced physical limitations and insecurities that inhibited their participation. They expressed a strong desire for exercise tailored to their needs, and supervision by an exercise professional. Participants also highlighted the social nature of group training as an important facilitator. They had no clear preference for exercise type, but rather favored a mixture of different activities. Flexible training modules were considered helpful to increase exercise program adherence. CONCLUSIONS: MBC patients were generally interested in supervised exercise programs. They preferred group exercise that facilitates social interaction, but also expressed a need for individualized exercise programs. This suggests the relevance to develop flexible exercise programs that are adjusted to the individual's needs, abilities, and preferences

Perspectives of patients with metastatic breast cancer on physical exercise programs: results from a survey in five European countries

Background: To successfully implement exercise programs for patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC), services and patient education should consider patients’ knowledge, preferences, values, and goals. Hence, gaining insight into their perspectives on exercise and exercise programming is important. Method: In this cross-sectional survey, we recruited patients with MBC from the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Spain, and Sweden. We collected data on patients’ knowledge and skills about exercise and outcome expectations. We identified barriers to and facilitators of participation in exercise programs, and patients’ preferences for program content and modes of exercise delivery. Results: A total of 420 patients participated in the survey. Respondents were, on average, 56.5 years old (SD 10.8) and 70% had bone metastases. Sixty-eight percent reported sufficient skills to engage in aerobic exercise, but only 35% did so for resistance exercise. Respondents expected exercise to have multiple physical benefits, but a few patients expected exercise to worsen their pain (5%). Not having access to an exercise program for cancer patients (27%), feeling too tired (23%), and/or weak (23%) were the most often reported barriers. Facilitators for exercising regularly were previous positive physical (72%) and emotional (68%) experiences with exercising, and receiving personalized advice from a physiotherapist or sport/fitness instructor (62%). Patients were most interested in walking and preferred exercising at a public gym, although there were differences by country. Fifty-seven percent did not know whether their insurance company reimburses exercise programs and only 9% would be willing to pay more than €50 per month to participate. Conclusion: A large percentage of patients with MBC lack the skills to engage in regular exercise as recommended by exercise guidelines for people with cancer. Patients may benefit from personalized advice and appropriate training facilities to overcome barriers. When implementing exercise interventions, attention should be given to reimbursement and the relatively low willingness-to-pay

Sexual Health in breast cancer patients in Poland

Introduction.Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women in Poland and in the world, with a mor­tality rate second only to that of lung cancer. Breasts are one of the most important symbols of femininity and sexuality. Cancer surgery, but also systemic therapy (chemotherapy and hormone therapy) cause a change in the perception of one’s body. The aim of the survey proposed by us was to assess interest in sex by breast cancer patients during and after oncological treatment, as well as to identify ways to improve the quality of patients’ sex lives. Materials and methods.The proposed survey consisted of 3 parts: the first part included questions about the demo­graphic, in the second part there were the author’s questions about sexual dysfunction (12 questions), in the third part there was the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) form assessing the sexual functioning of women. The questionna­ires were made available online from October 13, 2020 to December 20, 2020 through the social networks of patient organizations involved in breast cancer care. 287 women diagnosed with breast cancer were included in the survey. Results.Before the disease almost all patients were sexually active and had a partner (95.5%; n = 274); at the time of filling the questionnaire only slightly more than half of the patients remained sexually active ( 57.1%; n = 164). About 30.7% (n = 88) stated that the disease was the main reason for not being sexually active. More than 60% of patients (60.9%; n = 137) used products to improve the comfort of sexual intercourse, mainly lubricants (39.7%; n = 114). Only about 1/3 of the patients (32.1%; n = 92) were satisfied with their sex life, 48.1% (n = 138) stated they were not satisfied with their sex life, 19.9% (n = 57) did not answer this question. The main reasons for lack of satisfaction with sex life included: decreased libido (65.9%; n = 189), vaginal dryness (55.1%; n = 158). The mean score of forms filled out by the respondents was 24.50 in FSFI form. Conclusions.Assessment of sexual dysfunction in patients with breast cancer should be performed on a routine basis before treatment and regularly during treatment

Association of the rs3864283 Polymorphism Located in the <i>HINT1</i> Gene with Cigarette Use and Personality Traits

Nicotine is the major reinforcing component of tobacco and it is believed that the pharmacological effects of nicotine motivate the initiation and maintenance of a smoking habit. HINT1 appears to play a role in the modulation of the effects of drug abuse. Hence, the aim of this study was the analysis of the association between the rs3864283 polymorphism of the HINT1 gene and cigarette use; the analysis of personality traits assessed by the means of the NEO-FFI Inventory; the analysis of anxiety measured by the STAI questionnaire; and the analysis of the interactions between the rs3864283 and both personality traits and anxiety. The study group consisted of 522 volunteers. Of these, 371 were cigarette users and 151 were never-smokers. The genomic DNA was isolated from venous blood using standard procedures. The results of both inventories, i.e., NEO-FFI and STAI., were reported as the sten scores. Genotyping was conducted with the real-time PCR method. Statistically significant differences were found in the frequency of rs3864283 genotypes and alleles in the tested sample of Cigarette Users when compared to the control group. The Cigarette Users compared to the control group obtained higher scores in the assessment of NEO-FFI extraversion scale, and significantly lower results were obtained for the NEO-FFI openness scale, the agreeableness scale, and the conscientiousness scale. There was a statistically significant effect of rs3864283 genotype interaction and Cigarette Use or not using (control group) on the extraversion scale. There was also a statistically significant effect of Cigarette Users or the control group on the extraversion scale score. The results obtained in the presented study indicated a significant association between the HINT1 rs3864283 variant and smoking status. Moreover, this is the first study incorporating genetic association of above-mentioned polymorphic site with interaction analysis of personality traits and anxiety. Overall, the results of this study suggest that HINT1 is an important genetic component associated with nicotine usage mechanisms

Methylation in the Promoter Region of the Dopamine Transporter DAT1 Gene in People Addicted to Nicotine

The dopaminergic system is a crucial element of the addiction processes. The dopamine transporter modulates the dynamics and levels of released dopamine in the synaptic cleft. Therefore, regulation of dopamine transporter (DAT1) gene expression is critical for maintaining homeostasis in the dopaminergic system. The aim of our study is evaluation of the methylation status of 33 CpG islands located in the DAT1 gene promoter region related to nicotine dependency. We investigated 142 nicotine-dependent subjects and 238 controls. Our results show that as many as 14 of the 33 CpG islands tested had statistically significantly higher methylation in the nicotine-dependent group compared to the control group. After applying Bonferroni correction, the total number of methylation sites was also significantly higher in the dependent subjects group. The analysis of the methylation status of particular CpG sites revealed a new direction of research regarding the biological aspects of nicotine addiction

Association Study of Serotonin 1A Receptor Gene, Personality, and Anxiety in Women with Alcohol Use Disorder

Alcohol use disorder is considered a chronic and relapsing disorder affecting the central nervous system. The serotonergic system, mainly through its influence on the mesolimbic dopaminergic reward system, has been postulated to play a pivotal role in the underlying mechanism of alcohol dependence. The study aims to analyse the association of the rs6295 polymorphism of the 5HTR1A gene in women with alcohol use disorder and the association of personality traits with the development of alcohol dependence, as well as the interaction of the rs6295, personality traits, and anxiety with alcohol dependence in women. The study group consisted of 213 female volunteers: 101 with alcohol use disorder and 112 controls. NEO Five-Factor and State-Trait Anxiety Inventories were applied for psychometric testing. Genotyping of rs6295 was performed by real-time PCR. We did not observe significant differences in 5HTR1A rs6295 genotypes (p = 0.2709) or allele distribution (p = 0.4513). The AUD subjects scored higher on the anxiety trait (p p p p = 0134) scales. Significantly lower scores were obtained by the AUD subjects on the extraversion (p p p 5HTR1A rs6295 genotype interaction and alcohol dependency, or lack thereof, on the openness scale (p = 0.0016). In summary, this study offers a comprehensive overview of alcohol dependence among women. It offers valuable insights into this complex topic, contributing to a more nuanced understanding of substance use among this specific demographic. Additionally, these findings may have implications for developing prevention and intervention strategies tailored to individual genetic and, most importantly, personality and anxiety differences