ArticlePsycho-oncology2016
Body image and sexual function in women after treatment for anal and rectal cancer.
Article in Psycho-oncology, 2016. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 25 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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Who cites it
25 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 123 citations in OpenAlex.
- Non-gastrointestinal symptom burden following colorectal cancer treatment-a systematic review.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2024Pooled it
- Pooled it
- Symptom Experiences in Colorectal Cancer Survivors After Cancer Treatments: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.Cancer nursingPooled it
- Sexual Function and Pessary Management among Women Using a Pessary for Pelvic Floor Disorders.The journal of sexual medicine · 2015Trial
- Review
- Sexual health outcomes after colorectal cancer diagnosis in females: a population-based cohort study.Journal of the National Cancer Institute · 2025Article
- Defining and sparing sexual function-related organs at risk for rectal cancer radiotherapy.Acta oncologica (Stockholm, Sweden) · 2025Article
- Assessing the perceived usefulness and impact of a sexual health consultation service for female patients in a comprehensive cancer center.Journal of cancer survivorship : research and practice · 2025Article
- The decline of male sexual activity and function after surgical treatment for rectal cancer.Acta oncologica (Stockholm, Sweden) · 2025Article
- Body image and social appearance anxiety in patients with cancer undergoing radiotherapy: Across-sectional study.BMC psychology · 2024Article
- Multi-Disciplinary Management in Rectal Cancer Survivorship: A Clinical Practice Review.Journal of gastrointestinal cancer · 2023Review
- Sexual function remains persistently low in women after treatment for colorectal cancer and anal squamous cell carcinoma.The journal of sexual medicine · 2023Article
- A Prospective Study Evaluating Health-Related Quality of Life Following a Multimodal Treatment for Colorectal Cancer.Journal of gastrointestinal cancer · 2023Article
- Quality of sexual life and associated factors: a cross-sectional survey of Chinese breast cancer patients.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2023Article
- Group-based body psychotherapy improves appreciation of body awareness in post-treatment cancer patients: A non-randomized clinical trial.Frontiers in psychology · 2023Article
- The Quality of Life of Patients with Surgically Treated Colorectal Cancer: A Narrative Review.Journal of clinical medicine · 2022Review
- A Coordinated Clinical Center for Young Onset Colorectal Cancer.The oncologist · 2021Article
- Body image in patients with different types of cancer.PloS one · 2021Article
- Do radiation oncologists talk about sexual health and dysfunction with their cancer patients? Results of the igls-vienna-sexmed-survey.Clinical and translational radiation oncology · 2020Article
- Psychometric properties of the German version of the Self Image Scale (SIS-D) in a sample of cancer patients.PloS one · 2020Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
8 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
Abstract
objectiveTreatment for anal and rectal cancer (ARCa) often results in side effects that directly impact sexual functioning; however, ARCa survivors are an understudied group, and factors contributing to the sexual sequelae are not well understood. Body image problems are distressing and may further exacerbate sexual difficulties, particularly for women. This preliminary study sought to (1) describe body image problems, including sociodemographic and disease/treatment correlates, and (2) examine relations between body image and sexual function.
methodsFor the baseline assessment of a larger study, 70 women completed the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire and Colorectal Cancer-specific Module, including the Body Image subscale, and Female Sexual Function Index. Pearson's correlation and multiple regression evaluated correlates of body image. Among sexually active women (n = 41), hierarchical regression examined relations between body image and sexual function domains.
resultsWomen were on average 55 years old (standard deviation = 11.6), non-Hispanic White (79%), married (57%), and employed (47%). The majority (86%) reported at least one body image problem. Younger age, lower global health status, and greater severity of symptoms related to poorer body image (p's < 0.05). Poor body image was inversely related to all aspects of sexual function (β range 0.50-0.70, p's < 0.05), except pain. The strongest association was with Female Sexual Function Index Sexual/Relationship Satisfaction.
conclusionThese preliminary findings suggest the importance of assessing body image as a potentially modifiable target to address sexual difficulties in this understudied group. Further longitudinal research is needed to inform the development and implementation of effective interventions to improve the sexual health and well-being of female ARCa survivors.
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