SPECIAL ISSUE: INTIMACY AND SEXUALITY AFTER CANCER - Perception of sexuality disorders in cancer patients: A survey from italian healt providers

Abstract

Background Sexual dysfunction is a major health concern in cancer patients regardless of disease prognosis, with a negative impact on quality of life (QoL). Several studies reported a suboptimal sexual health assessment in cancer patients by healthcare professionals worldwide, with several communicative, educational, emotional and environment obstacles. Methods In 2019, the Italian network “Rete Oncologica del Piemonte e della Valle d'Aosta” conducted a survey among medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, haematologists, and oncology nurses. A 15-items questionnaire investigated demographic and professional information, perceptions, management skills, and barriers dealing with patients’ sexuality. Results 315 healthcare professionals answered the questionnaire: 92 medical oncologists, 16 radiation oncologists, 21 haematologists, 19 residents, 167 nurses. The majority of health providers (85%) believed that sexual dysfunctions have a moderate or strong effect on patient’s QoL. Sexual dysfunction management was considered a physician’s and nurse’s task by 89% and 81%, respectively. Nevertheless, only 5% of healthcare providers declared to incorporate sexual evaluation in their routine clinical practice. Sexuality concern discussion was held by healthcare providers with the following frequency; never 13%, rarely 45%, sometimes 33% and often 9%. Healthcare workers were more reluctant than patients to introduce the topic of sexuality concerns. The main obstacles in addressing the sexuality disorders were: insuf cient training (59%), embarrassment (51%), time constraints (28%) and perception of no clinical relevance (17%). Most respondents believed to be not adequately trained to manage sexual dysfunction in both genders. Conclusion Italian healthcare providers are aware that sexuality disorders are a major concern for cancer patients. The routine assessment of sexual dysfunction during clinical visit could be improved, even if it was more frequent than reports from other countries. Many communicative barriers limit sexual health discussion. Education and training programs for healthcare providers are required, to improve management of sexual disorders in cancer patients.

Keywords

• sexual dysfunction
• sexual assessment
• cancer patient
• cancer survivor
• communicative barriers
• sexual training
• sexual education