Metrics details. The objective was to investigate the impact of cancer treatment on SH over the disease trajectory into survivorship in patients who underwent curative treatment. We analyzed differences in SH of patients on active cancer treatment compared to patients off-treatment cross sectional group comparison as well as changes in SH during the course of treatment from pre-treatment to follow-up.
Importance of sexual activity, masculinity and femininity did not differ between groups. Patients undergoing intensified treatment chemotherapy, radiation, or endocrine treatment reported more treatment effects subscale EORTC QLQ-SH22 compared to patients undergoing surgery only.
Our results highlight the negative impact of oncological treatment on SH and how increasing treatment intensity further impair SH. Sexual satisfaction and libido improve after treatment completion while other aspects e.
We suggest monitoring of SH from the start of cancer treatment on and beyond into survivorship using PROMs as part of routine cancer care. Peer Review reports. Sexual health SH is an integral component of quality of life QoL [ 1 , 2 ]. Cancer disease can have a detrimental effect on SH due to disease-related symptoms, treatment side-effects as well as related psychosocial impairments.
Observed SH impairments include a lack or reduction of sexual desire, orgasmic problems, pain during intercourse, and gender-dependent problems such as vaginal dryness and erectile dysfunction [ 5 ]. Body perception, feeling of attractiveness, emotional stability and other psychosexual issues can be affected by cancer [ 6 , 7 , 8 ]. Moreover, SH and reproductive issues not only concern patients, but also affect their partners and intimate relationships [ 9 ].
