Sexual function after cancer: paying the price of survivorship

Abstract

Sexual dysfunction is one of the most prevalent and distressing treatment side effects for millions of female cancer survivors, yet the majority of survivors do not receive necessary information, support, or treatment for these sexual consequences. Cancer can devastate the body and impair sexual function and body image. Furthermore, all primary modalities of cancer treatment (surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and hormonal therapy) have the potential to negatively impact sexual function. Assessment and identification by clinicians can be done efficiently and easily with short validated tools using a style of inquiry which starts by acknowledging how common sexual dysfunction is amongst cancer survivors rather than asking direct questions. Sexual concerns are impacted by psychological, biological, and interpersonal factors, and a multidisciplinary approach to treatment allows clinicians to comfortably inquire, assess, and refer if treatment is beyond their comfort or expertise.

摘要

性功能障碍是数百万女性癌症幸存者最普遍和最痛苦的治疗副作用之一, 但大多数幸存者并没有获得关于治疗这些性相关后果的必要信息及对症支持或治疗。癌症会破坏身体, 损害性功能和身体形象。此外, 所有癌症治疗的主要方式（手术、放疗、化疗和激素治疗）都有可能对性功能产生负面影响。临床医生可以通过使用经过验证的简短工具高效而容易地完成评估和鉴定, 其使用的是一种调查方式, 从认识到性功能障碍在癌症幸存者中有多普遍开始, 而不是直接问问题。性相关问题受到心理、生物和人际因素的影响, 多学科的治疗方法允许临床医生舒适地询问、评估和参考治疗是否超出了他们的舒适或专业水平。

Keywords:

• Sexual function
• female sexual dysfunction
• cancer
• survivorship

Potential conflict of interest

SSF consults for Mithra Pharmaceuticals, AMAG, and Procter & Gamble. SAK consults for AMAG, Dare, Duchesney, Emotional Brain, Valeant, Endoceutics, IVIX, Palatin Technologies, Pfizer, Materna, Nuelle, TherapeuticsMD, SST, Lupin, Mitsubishi Tanabe Development America, Viveve, and UpToDate. SLB receives UpToDate honoraria.

Additional information

Funding

Nil.