Sexual health in female and male cancer survivors - compared with age-matched cancer-free controls in Norway.

Abstract

Background and purpose: Sexual dysfunction is a common late effect of cancer reducing quality of life. This study investigated sexual health in cancer survivors shortly after diagnosis and at long-term follow-up compared to the general population.

Methods: A nationwide survey stratified by sex and age was distributed to a representative sample of the Norwegian population. Of the 5,135 respondents (33% response rate), 453 were cancer survivors, and 4,682 were cancer-free controls. Time since cancer diagnosis was divided into two categories: 2 years or less (short-term) and over 2 years (long-term). Sexual health was evaluated using the EORTC questionnaires SHQ-22 and the sexual domains of the QLQ-BR23/QLQ-BR45. Multivariable linear regression analyses compared sexual health between cancer survivors and cancer-free controls, and between short- and long-term cancer survivors.

Results: Cancer survivors reported significantly poorer sexual health outcomes than cancer-free controls, except for the importance of maintaining a sexually active life, rated equally important. There were minimal differences in sexual health between short-term and long-term cancer survivors. Interestingly, male cancer survivors appeared to be more affected by sexual health challenges than females, when compared to their cancer-free controls.

Interpretation: This study is the first to utilize the EORTC SHQ-22 questionnaire to assess sexual health in cancer survivors and controls. Sexual health was found to be significantly worse in cancer survivors compared to age-matched controls. It is imperative to address this overlooked health issue in the follow-up programs for cancer survivors.