Sexual Activity, Function and Dysfunction After a Diagnosis of Bladder Cancer
Ibrahim Jubber1, Zoe Rogers2, James Wf Catto1
1Academic Urology Unit, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK; Department of Urology, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK.
The Journal of Sexual Medicine
|July 23, 2022
Summary
Sexual dysfunction is prevalent in bladder cancer survivors, particularly after radical treatments. Early discussions about sexual health are crucial for informed decision-making and patient care.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Oncology
- Sexual Medicine
Background:
- Sexual dysfunction is a common and significant issue for individuals diagnosed with bladder cancer (BC).
- Both local and radical treatment modalities for BC can directly impair sexual function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively evaluate sexual function and activity in patients following a bladder cancer diagnosis and treatment.
- To identify factors influencing sexual outcomes in the BC patient cohort.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey using patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) was administered to 1796 bladder cancer survivors.
- The EORTC QLQ-BLM30 and QLQ-NMIBC24 questionnaires assessed sexual activity, intimacy, erectile/ejaculatory function, and vaginal dryness.
- Data were collected 10 years post-diagnosis, with 1530 participants answering sexual function questions.
Main Results:
- 31% of bladder cancer survivors reported being sexually active.
- Sexual dysfunction was common: 66% of women experienced vaginal dryness, while 80% of men reported erectile dysfunction and 58% ejaculatory dysfunction.
- Radical treatments were associated with significantly lower sexual activity (OR 0.56) and worse sexual function scores compared to TURBT +/- intravesical treatments.
Conclusions:
- Sexual dysfunction is a major concern for bladder cancer patients, with higher rates observed after radical treatments.
- Findings underscore the importance of addressing sexual health during pre-operative counseling and shared decision-making for bladder cancer treatments.
- This study provides extensive data on sexual function post-BC, emphasizing the need for clinical discussions and interventions.
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