Women who have had breast cancer do well years after treatment, although those who have chemotherapy and tamoxifen may have reduced physical functioning.

Researchers at the University of California report on one of the largest studies looking at quality of life in long-term survivors of breast cancer. They find that these women, on the whole, have excellent levels of health and social wellbeing. The women also score well on sexual desire, body image, mental health and energy levels.

The only drawback is that women who received adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery, or tamoxifen, reported sexual discomfort and vaginal dryness. It calls into question whether it's worth having chemotherapy or tamoxifen in the case of a very small - less than one centimeter in diameter - tumour. For larger tumours, these treatments have a definite survival value that would be set off against any long-term side effects.

Source

Journal of the National Cancer Institute January 2 2002