abstract: A systematic review of sexual concerns reported by gynecological cancer survivors

Conclusion

Gynecological cancer survivors experience a broad range of sexual concerns after diagnosis and treatment, but the majority of studies emphasized physical aspects of sexuality, and may not adequately represent women's psychological and social sexual concerns. Health care providers should remain mindful of psychological and social sexual concerns when caring for gynecologic cancer survivors. Future research should systematically evaluate the full range of sexual concerns in large, representative samples of GYN cancer survivors and develop and test interventions to address those concerns.

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Highlights

► Literature focuses on physical sexual dysfunction in gynecologic cancer survivors.
► Women report range of sexual concerns: physical, psychological, social.
► Research should include comprehensive/systematic assessment of sexual concerns.

Partners of long-term gynaecologic cancer survivors: Psychiatric morbidity, psychosexual outcomes and supportive care needs (abstract)

Objective

To describe long-term psychological morbidity, unmet supportive care needs, positive changes, sexual outcomes and relationship satisfaction in partners of gynaecologic cancer survivors, as compared with respective survivors.

Method

Self-report measures were administered to a cross-sectional sample of 68 partners recruited via patient survivors.

Conclusion

The majority of partners reported excellent sexual outcomes and little perceived change since the survivors' diagnosis. The association between unmet needs and psychological morbidity suggests a useful target for further intervention. Despite methodological limitations, these data are novel and present a starting point for further investigation to improve outcomes for survivors and partners.

Sexual issues in early and late stage cancer: a review

"Few studies have assessed sexuality in the advanced stage of disease. Nevertheless, advanced cancer patients are willing to talk about their sex lives and the impact of the disease on their sexual function."

Sexual Morbidity Associated With Poorer Psychological Adjustment Among Gynecological Cancer Survivors

Note: excerpts from abstract

Objectives: Sexual morbidity is a distressing and undertreated problem in gynecological cancer survivorship known to occur early and persist well beyond the period of physical recovery.

Sexuality and intimacy after gynecological cancer

"The essential part of success is the providers appreciation of this serous problem and willingness and comfort in addressing it."