Psychosexual development and satisfaction with timing of developmental milestones among adult survivors of childhood cancer

Abstract

This is the first study to demonstrate that although childhood cancer survivors may delay some aspects of psychosexual development, most are satisfied with this timing. Research and clinical practice should emphasize survivors' perceptions/satisfaction toward psychosexual development rather than focusing only on normative milestone attainment.

Sexual health among adolescent and young adult cancer survivors: A scoping review from the Children's Oncology Group Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Discipline Committee

“…33,44 The literature also supports the finding that many survivors experience a delay in meeting sexual milestones (eg, dating, first sexual intercourse) or are less likely to report frequent sexual activity compared with peers. 34,44,48 Similar to findings of overall sexual dysfunction, females report more problems with components of sexual function compared with males. 23,25,30 In a sample of 291 cancer survivors, a larger proportion of female survivors reported sexual problems (eg, interest, enjoyment, arousal) compared with male survivors (37% vs 20%; P < .01).…”

“…There are exceptions, as both Sundberg et al (2011) and Lehmann et al (2016) found that sexual satisfaction was similar between survivors and peers 33,44 . The literature also supports the finding that many survivors experience a delay in meeting sexual milestones (eg, dating, first sexual intercourse) or are less likely to report frequent sexual activity compared with peers 34,44,48 …”

“…Sexual dysfunction was examined using various measures (Table 1), 19‐50 with sexual dysfunction reported as a primary outcome in 12 studies. Measures of overall sexual dysfunction included the Medical Outcomes Study Sexual Functioning Scale 19,50 and the similar Swedish Health‐Related Quality‐of‐Life Scale, 25,35 the Life Impact Checklist, 24,49 the Female Sexual Function Index, 21,26 the Derogatis Interview for Sexual Functioning Self‐Report, 31 the Brief Sexual Function Questionnaire for Men, 45 the International Index of Erectile Function, 31 the Sexual Function Questionnaire for Women, 27 and the Brief Index of Sexual Functioning for Women 27,45 .…”

Psychosexual Care of Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Survivors

“…Psychosexual care of AYA cancer survivors requires careful consideration of biological variables related to fertility and sexual health as well as their interplay with psychological, interpersonal, and contextual factors, such as sexuality, relationships, and body image. The evaluation and treatment considered show these issues combine to impact different outcomes ranging from positive adjustment to experiencing distress related to sexuality, fertility, and body image [7][8][9][17][18][19]. These factors are dynamic and interact with each other, and are expected to change as adolescent and young adult cancer survivors move through their psychosexual development [8].…”

“…The risk for death by suicide among AYA cancer survivors is higher than all other groups, with AYA cancer survivors twice as likely to complete suicide compared to their healthy AYA peers [4,6]. In addition to managing feelings of anxiety, depression, and loss of control associated with diagnosis and treatment, AYA cancer survivors must also re-establish a post-treatment developmental course that may include identifying educational and career goals, building independence, assessing post-treatment fertility, developing romantic and/or sexual relationships, and making decisions about starting a family [4,[7][8][9][10][11][12][13]. The demonstrated vulnerability among this population emphasizes the need to understand and address the psychosocial and sexual health needs of AYA cancer survivors to ensure their overall wellbeing.…”