Abstract: Objective: To systematically review and synthesize the evidence on the experience of sexual life in patients with breast cancer. Methods: We searched the following databases including PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, EMbase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, CBM, CNKI, WanFang Data, VIP to retrieve all eligible qualitative studies. A meta-synthesis was conducted to synthesize the evidence. Results: A total of 11 studies were included in the final synthesis, with 52 types of identified experiences extracted from the included studies and summarized to three themes (perception of sexual life and need for sexual knowledge; seeking support for sexually related physiological and psychological changes; change in emotional relationships with partners). Conclusions: Health care providers should pay attention to the sexual life and emotional problems of patients with breast cancer, and provide care support, guidance and encouragement during treatment, therefore to improve patients' quality of sexual life, emotional experience, and the overall quality of life.

Key words: breast cancer; sexual life; experience; qualitative study; Meta-synthesis