The impact of curative cancer treatment on sexual health – clinical results from the EORTC QLQ-SH22 validation study
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The European Organization of Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) has recently developed and validated a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) for sexual health (SH) in cancer patients. Here, we present results from a secondary analysis of the EORTC QLQ-SH22 validation study. The objective was to investigate the impact of cancer treatment on SH over the disease trajectory into survivorship in patients who underwent curative treatment. METHODS: Participants completed the EORTC QLQ-SH22 and the EORTC QLQ-C30 assessing SH and Quality of Life. We analyzed differences in SH of patients on active cancer treatment compared to patients off-treatment (cross sectional group comparison) as well as changes in SH during the course of treatment (from pre-treatment to follow-up). RESULTS: Our sample consisted of n = 394 (66.2% females) curatively treated cancer patients with 34% of patients being on-treatment and 66% of patients being in their follow-up after primary treatment (off-treatment group). Compared to patients off- treatment, patients on active cancer treatment experienced less sexual satisfaction (p = .021, Cohen's d = .36) and libido (p < .001, d = .60) and had higher levels of fatigue (p < .001, d = .50). Importance of sexual activity, masculinity and femininity did not differ between groups. Treatment effects on sexual activity decreased with treatment completion (p < .001, d = .50). Patients undergoing intensified treatment (chemotherapy, radiation, or endocrine treatment) reported more treatment effects (subscale EORTC QLQ-SH22) compared to patients undergoing surgery only. CONCLUSION: Our results highlight the negative impact of oncological treatment on SH and how increasing treatment intensity further impair SH. Sexual satisfaction and libido improve after treatment completion while other aspects (e.g. masculinity/femininity) do not change during survivorship. We suggest monitoring of SH from the start of cancer treatment on and beyond into survivorship using PROMs as part of routine cancer care. Routine monitoring allows systematic identification of patient's SH problems and may improve awareness as well as target intervention for those in need of care.
Source: BMC Cancer
Authors: Anne S. Oberguggenberger, Veronika I. Engele, Claudia Schmalz, Andy Nordin, Vesna Bjelic-Radisic, Anne Lanceley, Karin Kuljanic, Pernille T. Jensen, Ligita Paskeviciute Frøding, Carien L. Creutzberg, Kristin Zimmermann, Samantha Serpentini, Juan I. Arraras, Eva Nagele, Hilde Toelen, Elfriede Greimel, on behalf of the EORTC Quality of Life Group, Dagmara Kulis, Chie Wie-Chu, Krzysztof A. Tomaszewski, Razvan Galalae, Thierry Almont
Institutions: Innsbruck Medical University, Universität Innsbruck, University Hospital Innsbruck, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital, Witten/Herdecke University, Medical University of Graz, Helios Universitätsklinikum Wuppertal, University College London, University of Rijeka, University of Southern Denmark, Aarhus University, Aarhus University Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Leiden University Medical Center, Bundeswehrzentralkrankenhaus Koblenz, Istituto Oncologico Veneto, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Universitair Ziekenhuis Leuven
Language: English
Topic: Cancer survivorship and care
Subfield: Oncology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,190
Funders: National Institute for Health and Care Research, European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia, National Taiwan University, Fundación Caja Navarra, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UCLH Biomedical Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney
Award: G6021921980
OpenAlex ID: W4404215050