SPECIAL ISSUE: INTIMACY AND SEXUALITY AFTER CANCER - Male sexual life and intimacy during and after cancer

Abstract

Cancer’s impact on sexuality has been well documented across all types of cancers, both in patients with active cancers and long-term survivors. As we make progresses in extending survival for cancer patients, we must face the challenge of providing a satisfactory quality of life, on which sexual disfunction impacts profoundly. Although some treatment-related sexual adverse effects are short lived, many chronic cancer patients and survivors face long-term physical and psychological sequelae. Partners are also affected by a cancer diagnosis, with both negative and positive consequences for the relationship. Patients with sexual apparatus and non-sexual apparatus cancer are affected by sexual dysfunction, therefore each group should be evaluated for support, nevertheless considering the peculiarities of each cancer treatment and side effects, the person individuality and his cultural and religious background. Although sexual dysfunction has been studied quite extensively and a range of intervention strategies that can help patients cope with treatment-related sexual problems are now available, many patients do not feel that they are receiving adequate support from healthcare providers. By taking a holistic approach through appropriate screening, communication, medical therapy, surgical prosthesis and psychological support for cancer patients and their partners, sexual dysfunction and the accompanying distress can be signi cantly alleviated. The healthcare barriers to such interventions perceived by healthcare providers (primary care physicians, oncologists, other specialized healthcare professionals) are mainly a lack of formal training, access to appropriate referrals, the lack of standards of care, and assuming that non-sexual related cancer and elderly people sexual needs are minimal.

Keywords

• sexuality
• sexual dysfunction
• relationship
• intimacy
• cancer
• rehabilitation
• erectile dysfunction
• quality of life