To comprehensively examine the prevalence of sexual dysfunction (SD) across diverse cancer types and identify modifiable and non-modifiable determinants, highlighting their significance for patient care.
Key Findings:
Sexual dysfunction affects a significant proportion of cancer patients, with prevalence rates ranging from 53% to 91% depending on cancer type, including prostate and breast cancers.
Barriers to addressing SD include patient reluctance to discuss sexual issues and healthcare providers' lack of training.
Existing literature on SD in cancer survivors is fragmented, leading to inconsistent estimates of prevalence and risk factors.
Interpretation:
The findings highlight the critical need for improved recognition and management of sexual dysfunction in cancer care, emphasizing its importance for overall quality of life and patient satisfaction.
Limitations:
Variability in study design and assessment tools across included studies may affect the reliability of prevalence estimates.
Limited focus on moderators such as treatment modality and time since treatment in existing literature, as well as potential biases in study selection.
Conclusion:
Addressing sexual dysfunction is essential for holistic, patient-centered cancer care, necessitating further research and clinical attention, particularly in developing targeted interventions.
