The assessment of sexual function in cancer patients

The sexual function of cancer patients may be compromised by their disease or treatment. This is infrequently assessed as an outcome variable and methodological differences between reported studies make comparison difficult. Where sexual function is being assessed as one dimension of a more comprehensive assessment of quality of life, a single item concerned with frequency of intercourse or satisfaction may be sufficient, but many studies require more detailed information. Methods developed for clinical assessment of sexual dysfunction are generally too long and detailed for this purpose. The best developed scales for cancer patients are embedded in lengthy and expensive questionnaires. A pool of items can be identified from which a scale could be derived to assess the relevant aspects of sexual experience. The development of an appropriate and psychometrically sound scale is now required to encourage greater consideration of the impact of disease and treatment on cancer patients' sexual function.