This study aimed to analyze how breast cancer and its treatments affect women’s sexuality. We conducted a qualitative systematic review of articles published between 2000 and 2010 and available in the databases PubMed, Web of Science, LILACS, and SciELO. We obtained 50 articles whose texts were categorized according to thematic content analysis. Six thematic categories were identified: the breast surgery and the other treatments for breast cancer; the experience of a woman with breast cancer; the sexual and affective relationship; studies on the relation between sexuality and specific characteristics of cancer; the health professionals and sexuality care; and proposals to minimize the negative consequences of treatments on sexuality. There is a need for further studies addressing the cultural aspects of sexuality, sexual diversity, relationship with the partner, education for health professionals, and interventions on sexuality in the breast cancer context.
Breast Neoplasms; Sexuality; Systematic Review