Sexual health among Danish cancer survivors and individuals with no history of cancer: Baseline findings from the nationwide Project SEXUS cohort study

Introduction

Being diagnosed with and treated for cancer often results in physical symptoms and psychosocial distress that may affect sexual health. This population-based study in Denmark aimed to compare the sexual health of cancer survivors across multiple cancer sites with that of individuals with no history of cancer.

Methods

Data were used from 4085 cancer survivors and 58,590 individuals without cancer aged 15 to 89 years, who participated in the nationally representative Project SEXUS cohort study. Prevalence estimates for sexual outcomes were calculated, and logistic regression analyses yielded confounder-adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations of cancer survivorship with sexual outcomes, both overall and across cancer sites.

Results

Cancer survivors experienced significantly more sexual challenges than individuals without cancer, both overall and in the first 5 years after their most recent cancer diagnosis. This difference was seen across multiple cancer sites and regardless of age at diagnosis (<60 vs. ≥60 years). Among several statistically significant findings, particularly high aORs were noted for dissatisfaction with breast appearance (aOR: 1.89; CI, 1.49–2.41) and genital pain dysfunction (aOR: 1.74; CI, 1.32–2.28) among women and lack of sexual needs (aOR: 1.93; CI, 1.61–2.30) and erectile dysfunction (aOR: 2.79; CI, 2.30–3.38) among men.

Conclusion

Compared to individuals with no history of cancer, sexual health was significantly affected among cancer survivors of both sexes and across cancer sites, time since diagnosis, and age at diagnosis. Health care professionals should recognize and routinely address the sexual challenges experienced by cancer survivors to enhance their biopsychosocial recovery.