Interventions to Address Sexual Problems in People with Cancer

Guideline Objective

To examine effective strategies/interventions to manage sexual function side effects as a result of cancer diagnosis and/or treatment with the aim of decreasing distress, and improving quality of life for cancer survivors and their partners.

Patient Population

Adult men and women (and partners) of all sexual orientations living with cancer of any type.

For the purposes of this guideline, men and women who were previously treated for a childhood cancer were not included.

Intended Guideline Users

Healthcare practitioners such as oncologists, radiation therapists, urologists, gynaecologists, primary care providers, surgeons, nurses, physiotherapists, social workers, counsellors, psychologists and psychiatrists.

Research Question(s)

What is the effectiveness of pharmacological interventions, psychosocial counselling, or devices to manage sexual problems after cancer treatment? More specifically, we examined issues in men and in women separately.