Attitudes and Practices of Breast Cancer Consultations Regarding Sexual Issues: A Nationwide Survey of Japanese Surgeons

Abstract

This study shows that talking about sex-related topics is still repressed in patient-doctor encounters in Japan. It is an urgent matter to increase doctors' awareness and clinical skills to deal with patients' sexual issues.

Health‐related quality of life in men with localized prostate cancer

“…The urologists appear less proactive in dealing with ED in cancer patients, and instead tend to focus more on outcomes such as laboratory test results. This is consistent with findings of a previous study that used a nationwide survey in Japan on the attitudes of breast cancer surgeons: one‐third of doctors addressed the sexual concerns of their patients after surgery as about ‘nothing in particular’ 115 . Physical conditions in Japanese hospitals often limit confidentiality, perhaps decreasing motivation to discuss such sensitive issues.…”

Management of sexual side effects in the surgical oncology practice: A nationwide survey of Dutch surgical oncologists

“…With exception of a Japanese survey amongst breast surgeons performed in 2001, little is known about whether surgical oncologists discuss sexuality with their patients. 22 Whereas The Global Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Behaviours revealed that women in East Asia were the least likely to talk to a doctor about their sexual issues (9% v 18%e 40% in non-Asian country groups), the Japanese survey results might differ significantly from a non-Asian perspective. 23 Similar studies examining the behaviour of gynaecologic oncologists towards discussing sexual health found percentages of 7% and 49% regarding the discussion of sexual health with half or more of the patients.…”

Attitudes and Behavior of Radiation Oncologists Toward Sexual Issues of Cervical Cancer Patients Who Receive Radiation Therapy

“…12 Pilot testing and survey revision were carried out with a sample of 10 radiation oncologists affiliated with the Department of Oncology in MianYang Central Hospital. All radiation oncologists using the collected data had provided written confirmation that they would not disclose the personal identity of their patients.…”