Intimacy and Relationships Among Partnered Danes With and Without a History of Cancer: Findings From the Project SEXUS Cohort Study.

Abstract

Background: Intimacy and relationship dynamics are central to health and well-being and may buffer sexual difficulties in cancer survivors. Still, population-based evidence comparing intimacy, reasons for having sex, and relational aspects between cancer survivors and individuals without a history of cancer remains limited and inconsistent.

Aim: To assess the perceived importance of various types of intimacy, frequent reasons for having sex, and relationship characteristics among partnered individuals with and without a history of cancer.

Methods: We analyzed data from 47,718 partnered individuals from the nationally representative Project SEXUS cohort study, including 3177 cancer survivors and 44,541 individuals without a cancer history. Prevalence estimates were calculated for all measures, and logistic regression models were used to obtain demographically weighted, confounder-adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals for associations of cancer status with intimacy, sexuality, and relationship indicators, stratified by sex and time since diagnosis.

Results: Cancer survivors reported importance of intimacy, frequent reasons for having sex, and relationship characteristics largely comparable to those reported by individuals without a history of cancer. Similar patterns were seen across sexes, both overall and within five years of diagnosis.

Conclusion: Our findings indicate that, despite the well-established impact of cancer on sexual activity and functioning, not all aspects of sexual health are equally affected. In particular, the perceived importance of intimacy, reasons for engaging in sex, and relational characteristics appear largely unaffected by cancer. Together, these results underscore the importance of addressing sexual health holistically in survivorship care, encompassing resources embedded in intimacy and relationship dynamics.