Sexual quality of life in men and women after cancer

Abstract

More than 60% of people treated for cancer have long-term sexual dysfunction. However, fewer than 25% of those with sexual problems get help from a health professional. Although cancer-related sexual problems usually begin with physiological damage from cancer treatment, a patient’s coping skills and the quality of the sexual relationship are crucial in sexual rehabilitation. Barriers to care for people treated for cancer include a lack of discussion with the oncology team. In repeated surveys, fewer than half of patients recall discussing sex or fertility with their care providers, even during informed consent. Practice guidelines on sexuality and cancer were published in 2017 by the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). Both agree the following:

• The oncology team should initiate discussions of sexuality and cancer during treatment planning and at follow-up visits.

• Psychosocial and medical assessment should take place when a concern or problem is identified.

• Referrals should be offered for multidisciplinary treatment, since sexual problems frequently have both psychosocial and physiological causes.This article describes a system of care that can meet the guidelines while providing sustainable revenue.

摘要

接受癌症治疗的人中, 超过60％患有长期性功能障碍。但是, 只有不到25％的具有与性相关问题的患者可以从卫生专业人员那里获得帮助。尽管与癌症相关的性问题通常始于癌症治疗造成的生理损害, 但患者的应对技巧和性关系的质量对于性功能的康复至关重要。对经历癌症治疗的患者进行医疗保健的障碍包括缺乏与肿瘤专家之间的讨论。在重复调查中, 即使在知情同意的情况下, 也只有不到一半的患者回想起与他们的医疗保健医生讨论过关于性功能或生育能力的问题。美国临床肿瘤学会（ASCO）和美国国家综合癌症网络（NCCN）于2017年发布了性功能与癌症实践指南。双方在以下内容上意见一致：

• 肿瘤专家应在指定治疗计划和随访期间就性功能与癌症的关系进行讨论。

• 当出现或担心有关性功能的问题时, 应进行社会心理和医学评估。

• 因为性功能问题经常同时具有社会心理和生理原因, 因此应推荐转诊接受多学科治疗。

本文介绍了一种既可以满足指南要求又可以提供可持续受益的医疗保健系统。

Keywords:

• Oncology
• sexual dysfunction
• erectile dysfunction
• sexual desire disorder
• dyspareunia
• genitourinary syndrome of menopause

Conflict of interest

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Funding

Nil.