The Effect of Good Enough Sex (GES) Model-Based Sexual Counseling Intervention on the Body Image in Women Surviving Breast Cancer: A Randomized Clinical Trial

INTRODUCTION: Women undergoing breast cancer treatment experience a number of changes, including loss or deformity of one or both breasts, surgical wounds, skin changes, and weight gain. These changes are very closely related to physical appearance and body image and often lead to reduced mental health, marital quality and psychological stress. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the effect of Good Enough Sex (GES) model-based counseling intervention on the body image in women surviving breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This randomized clinical trial was a kind of quantitative study with control group carried out on 100 women (50 women in the intervention group and 50 women in the control group) who randomly entered into the study after completing the informed consent form. The intervention included 4 sessions of 120-190 minute sexual counseling with 2 and 3 months follow-up. The data were collected consisting of demographic characteristics and disease-related information, Body Image Scale (BIS) and analyzed using ANOVA repeated measures. RESULTS: The results showed a statistically significant difference between the mean of body image in the intervention and control groups (P <0.001). CONCLUSION: The educational and counseling intervention program based on a socio-psychological model was effective in improving the body image among women surviving breast cancer. The inclusion of educational and counseling programs in service centers in this regard has an effective role in the reproductive health of women with breast cancer. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registration of trial protocol has been approved in Iranian registry of clinical trials (IRCT20120609009975N8, https://en.irct.ir/trial/42030, ethical code; IR.TUMS.FNM.REC.1396.4865).