[Sexuality in women after treatment of malignant breast tumors].

By means of a structured interview and four questionnaires (Heterosexual development of woman, Sexual activity of woman, Sexual function of woman and Questionnaire N5 which evaluates the presence and intensity of neurotic symptoms) the authors examined 154 women following treatment of a malignant breast tumour. During the examination which took place during spa treatment the age of the probands was 26-67 years. The most frequent adverse subjective sensations were problems of nakedness when seen by healthy women, when "seening themselves" and when seen by the husband (partner). Adverse feelings developed most frequently during the first week after operation. The adaptation was worst in women aged 40-44 years. Changes in emotional relations between partners were more favourable than in sexual life. Emotional as well as sex life improved in every fourth and more than in every 13th woman, as compared with the status before the disease. Men were quite tolerant. Fears and the degree of neuroticism corresponded with the deterioration of sexual function. Two-fifths of the women were interested in a reconstruction operation of the breast, however, only one in 40 of the group the operation was implemented or planned.