Characteristics of the sample (N = 501).

Objective
Coping with sexual dysfunction during and after breast cancer treatment is a persistent challenge for many women, even with clinician-offered standard sexual rehabilitative therapies (i.e., lubricants, counseling). This study sought to explore how women with breast cancer supplement clinician recommendations with self-discovered and peer-recommended techniques for improving sexual functioning and provide insight into how well they work.
Methods
Adult women with stage I-IV breast cancer were recruited to participate in a one-time online survey via Breastcancer.org. Thematic analysis identified emergent domains and themes focused on techniques for improving sexual function during and after treatment. Frequencies were calculated to quantify technique sources and perceived efficacy levels.
Results
Of 501 women responding to the survey, mean age was 53 years (range 30–79). Overall, 34.7% reported using a technique they discovered themselves or that was recommended by someone other than a clinician to improve sexual functioning. Four main themes regarding techniques included: 1) pain reduction, 2) intimacy and relationship enhancement, 3) desire and arousal enhancement, and 4) emotional coping. Most women discovered coping techniques without the help of clinicians, and 45.7% of women rated their techniques as moderately or more effective when used in addition to or instead of standard techniques offered by clinicians.
Conclusions
Our study provides insight into how women with breast cancer successfully cope with sexual dysfunction symptoms during and after treatment. To fully understand and share patients’ innovative techniques for coping with these symptoms, clinicians should foster open discussion about the potential for dysfuction and treatment for these symptoms, as well as avenues of peer-supported discussion to promote coping self-education and discovery.

研究目的
尽管临床医师可提供标准化性功能康复治疗手段（即润滑剂、心理咨询），但诸多女性在乳腺癌治疗期间及治疗后仍长期面临性功能障碍（sexual dysfunction）的困扰。本研究旨在探究乳腺癌女性患者如何在临床医师建议的基础上，辅以自行发现或同伴推荐的技巧以改善性功能，并阐明此类技巧的实际效用。

研究方法
通过Breastcancer.org平台招募I至IV期成年乳腺癌女性患者参与单次线上问卷调查。采用主题分析法（Thematic analysis）识别出聚焦于治疗期间及治疗后性功能改善技巧的涌现范畴与主题；通过频率统计量化各类技巧的来源以及受试者感知到的效用等级。

研究结果
本次调查共回收501份有效问卷，受访者平均年龄为53岁（年龄区间30~79岁）。总体而言，34.7%的受访者报告称曾使用自行发现或非临床医师推荐的技巧来改善性功能。相关技巧可归纳为四大核心主题：1）疼痛缓解；2）亲密关系与情感联结增进；3）性欲与唤起提升；4）情绪应对。多数患者未借助临床医师帮助便自行找到了应对技巧，且45.7%的女性认为，在配合或替代临床医师提供的标准化治疗手段时，自身使用的技巧具有中等及以上的效用。

研究结论
本研究阐明了乳腺癌患者在治疗期间及治疗后成功应对性功能障碍症状的可行路径。为充分理解并推广患者用于应对此类症状的创新技巧，临床医师应主动开展关于此类症状潜在发生风险与治疗方案的开放讨论，同时搭建同伴支持讨论渠道，以推动患者的自我教育与技巧探索。