Sexual activity in young adult survivors of childhood cancer: a population-based study

This study aims to investigate sexual activity, focusing on partner sex, in young adult survivors of childhood cancer in comparison to the general population. Furthermore, the study seeks to identify factors among the survivors associated with never having had partner sex. A population-based observational survey study was conducted with adult (aged 19-40) survivors of childhood cancer (n = 2545) and a comparison group from the general population (n = 819). Multivariable logistic regression analyses, stratified by gender, were performed to examine sociodemographic, clinical and psychological factors associated with never having had sex with another person. In comparison to the general population, survivors exhibited lower levels of sexual activity with a partner during the past month (women: 78% vs. 65%, p < 0.001; men: 62% vs. 56%, p = 0.031). A small proportion of survivors reported never having engaged in partner sex, with men reporting this to a greater extent than women (14% vs. 7%, p < 0.001). Factors associated with never having had partner sex included younger age at study, no current occupation and prior cranial irradiation. Additionally, men who self-reported depressive symptoms and women who had undergone hematopoietic stem cell transplantation were more likely to have never engaged in sexual activity with a partner. In conclusion, young adult survivors of childhood cancer have partner sex to a lesser extent than peers. Intensive cancer treatment was related to never having engaged in partner sex. These findings highlight the need for health care professionals to actively address sexuality during surveillance to support sexual health and well-being.