SynthesisJournal of cancer survivorship : research and practice2017
Patient-provider communication about sexual concerns in cancer: a systematic review.
Synthesis in Journal of cancer survivorship : research and practice, 2017. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 93 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
93 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Quality of Nursing Care: Addressing Sexuality as Part of Prostate Cancer Management, an Umbrella Review.Journal of advanced nursing · 2025Pooled it
- Sexual activity and cancer: A systematic review of prevalence, predictors and information needs among female Arab cancer survivors.European journal of cancer care · 2022Pooled it
- Survivorship, Version 2.2017, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology.Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network : JNCCN · 2017Guideline
- Efficacy of a multimedia intervention in facilitating breast cancer patients' clinical communication about sexual health: Results of a randomized controlled trial.Psycho-oncology · 2021Trial
- Article
- Exploring sexual health and function among Malaysian patients with advanced cancer: insights from the EORTC QLQ SH-22 questionnaire.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026Article
- Addressing sexual health after cancer: whose job is it anyway? Provider practices and communication barriers.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026Article
- Sexual health and REhabilitation online (SHAREonline): study protocol of an optimisation trial.BMJ open · 2026Article
- Integrating sexual health into care for patients with cancer and chronic illness.Nature reviews. Disease primers · 2026Article
- Exploring the use of a youth specific screening tool in hematological cancer care: perspectives from young adult patients and healthcare professionals.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026Article
- The impact of advanced cancer on sexual health and relationships: A qualitative study on patient and partner perspectives.Palliative medicine · 2026Article
- A pilot study of a sexual health workshop for oncology staff: feasibility, impact, and gaps in addressing young adult breast cancer survivorship needs.Journal of cancer survivorship : research and practice · 2026Article
- Sexuality, a Fundamental Care Need-Theoretical and Clinical Considerations, a Discursive Paper.Scandinavian journal of caring sciences · 2026Review
- Sexual Health Care of Women Cancer Survivors Among Minority Groups: A Pilot Study.Oncology nursing forum · 2026Article
- "Just for pregnant women, not for you": a qualitative evaluation of the sexual and reproductive healthcare experiences of transgender and gender diverse cancer survivors.Journal of cancer survivorship : research and practice · 2026Article
- Healthcare providers' perceptions of sexual health concerns among female patients with cervical and breast cancer and survivors in Rwanda: a qualitative interview study.BMJ public health · 2026Article
- Belgian Physicians' Perceptions of Sexual Health and Its Care in Cervical Cancer Survivors: An Exploratory Qualitative Interview Study.Journal of multidisciplinary healthcare · 2026Article
- Sexual activity and functioning after breast cancer treatment: perspectives on the importance of pleasure from a radiotherapy cohort.BMC women's health · 2025Article
- Nurses' attitudes toward addressing sexual health in their professional practice within cancer care: a Danish cross-sectional study.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2025Article
- How to Approach Female Sexual Dysfunction in a Urogynecology Practice.International urogynecology journal · 2025Review
33 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
7 authors.
Funding
Abstract
purposeCancer survivors' needs around sexual concerns are often unmet. The primary objective of this systematic review was to examine the prevalence of and factors associated with patient-provider communication about sexual concerns in cancer.
methodsUsing PRISMA guidelines, we searched PubMed/MEDLINE, PsychInfo, and CINAHL databases for peer-reviewed quantitative research papers (2000-2015) in cancer samples. Search terms across three linked categories were used (sexuality, communication, and cancer). The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Sexual Function Guidelines were used as a framework to categorize communication reported in each study.
resultsTwenty-nine studies from 10 countries (29 % in USA) were included. Studies assessed patients only (21), providers only (4), and both (4). Communication measures differed across studies and many lacked validity data. When reported by patients or providers, the average prevalence of discussing potential treatment effects on sexual function was 50 (60 % for men and 28 % for women) and 88 %, respectively. As reported by patients or providers, respectively, assessing patients' sexual concerns (10 and 21 %) and offering treatments (22 and 17 %) were measured in fewer studies and were reported less frequently. Both patients and providers (28 and 32 %, respectively) reported a low prevalence of other non-specific communication. Greater prevalence of communication was associated with male patient gender and more years of provider experience.
conclusionsSexual issues go unaddressed for many cancer survivors, particularly women. Both patient and provider interventions are needed. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Enhancing patient-provider communication about sexual concerns through evidence-based interventions could improve patient sexual function and quality of life.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.