Sexual quality of life, self-compassion and desire to use onco-sexology support by cancer patients.

Background: Cancer and its treatments can affect patients' sexual quality of life, yet the use of onco-sexology support remains uncommon. Understanding psychological factors such as self-compassion may help explain patients' desire to seek such support (DUOSS).

Aim: To evaluate the role of self-compassion in DUOSS, depending on patients' sexual quality of life.

Methods: Five hundred cancer patients were contacted by mail; 96 (19.2%) completed online questionnaires assessing sexual quality of life, self-compassion, and DUOSS. Participants were divided into two groups based on sexual quality of life: group 1 (satisfactory sexual quality of life, n=41) and group 2 (unsatisfactory sexual quality of life, n=55).

Results: Group 2 showed lower self-compassion and a greater desire to use onco-sexology support. Significant differences were also observed in marital status and treatment types. Self-compassion was positively associated with sexual quality of life, and sexual quality of life was inversely related to DUOSS. Mediation analysis suggested an indirect relationship between self-compassion, sexual quality of life, and DUOSS.

Clinical implications: Self-compassion plays a key role in sexual quality of life and may influence the likelihood of seeking onco-sexology support. Interventions that foster self-compassion could improve patients' sexual well-being and support care engagement.

Conclusion: self-compassion contributes to DUOSS in patients with poor sexual quality of life and should be considered early in cancer care pathways.