Evidence map›Paper›PMID 36805959›Full record

ArticleThe journal of sexual medicine2023

Sexual function remains persistently low in women after treatment for colorectal cancer and anal squamous cell carcinoma.

Marissa B Savoie, Alan Paciorek, Katherine Van Loon, Mekhail Anwar, Chloe E Atreya, P Connor Johnson, Stacey A Kenfield, Angela Laffan, Anna O Levin, James F Smith and 5 more

Open access · greenAbstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in The journal of sexual medicine, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed, 3 pooled it
2.5field-weighted citation impact, top 11% of its field
1 · What the graph read from 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.

2 · The registry

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.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 8 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Pooled it
  3. The impact of anal cancer treatment on female sexuality and intimacy: a systematic review.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2025
    Pooled it
  4. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

15 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.

Marissa B SavoieSchool of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, United States.
Alan PaciorekHelen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, United States.
Katherine Van LoonHelen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, United States.
Mekhail AnwarHelen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, United States.
Chloe E AtreyaHelen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, United States.
P Connor JohnsonHarvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, United States.
Stacey A KenfieldDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, United States.
Angela LaffanHelen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, United States.
Anna O LevinHelen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, United States.
James F SmithDepartment of Urology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, United States.
Dalila StanfieldHelen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, United States.
Alan VenookHelen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, United States.
Li ZhangHelen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, United States.
Erin L Van BlariganDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, United States.
Tami RowenHelen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, United States.
University of California, San Francisco · USUCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center · USHarvard University · US

Funding

Diet After Colorectal Cancer : Observational Studies to Behavioral InterventionsK07CA197077 · NCI · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · PI VAN BLARIGAN, ERIN LYNN · 2016 to 2020
$885k
NCI NIH HHS K07 CA197077NCI NIH HHS K07CA197077
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundWomen diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC) or anal squamous cell carcinoma (ASCC) are at high risk of sexual dysfunction after treatment, yet little is known about recovery and risk factors for chronic dysfunction.

aimWe aimed to describe sexual function and sexual activity among women who underwent definitive treatment for CRC or ASCC, examine relationships between time since treatment completion and sexual function, and explore factors associated with desire and changes in sexual desire over time.

methodsAs part of a prospective cohort study of patients with gastrointestinal cancer at the University of California San Francisco, female-identifying participants who finished definitive treatment for CRC or ASCC completed the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) at 6- to 12-month intervals. We used multivariable linear mixed models to explore factors associated with the FSFI desire subscale. OUTCOMES: Outcomes were rates of sexual activity, proportion at risk for sexual dysfunction (FSFI score <26.55), total FSFI score, and FSFI desire subscale.

resultsAmong the 97 cancer survivors who completed at least 1 FSFI, the median age was 59 years, the median time since treatment end was 14 months, and 87% were menopausal. Fifty-five women (57%) had a history of colon cancer; 21 (22%), rectal cancer; and 21 (22%), ASCC. An additional 13 (13%) had a current ostomy. Approximately half the women were sexually active (n = 48, 49%). Among these 48 sexually active women, 34 (71%) had FSFI scores indicating risk for sexual dysfunction. Among the 10 sexually active women who completed a FSFI ≥2 years since end of treatment, the median total score was 22.6 (IQR, 15.6-27.3). None of the evaluated characteristics were associated with desire (age, tumor site, treatment, menopause status, or ostomy status). CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Consistent with prior studies, we found low desire scores after treatment for CRC or ASCC, with little recovery over time, suggesting that patients should not expect an eventual rebound of sexual function. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: Strengths of our study include longitudinal data and use of the validated FSFI. Women with ASCC composed 22% of our cohort, allowing for insight into this rare disease group. Limitations of this study include the small sample size, particularly for longitudinal analyses, and the enrollment of patients at variable times since treatment end.

conclusionWe observed a high prevalence of sexual health concerns, including low desire, after the treatment of CRC and ASCC that persisted for years after treatment was completed.

Indexed as

Carcinoma, Squamous CellRectal NeoplasmsSexual Dysfunction, PhysiologicalSexual Dysfunctions, PsychologicalFemaleHumansMiddle AgedProspective StudiesSexual BehaviorSurveys and Questionnairesanal squamous cell carcinomacancer survivorshipcolorectal cancerfemale hypoactive desire disorderfemale sexual dysfunctionpelvic radiation

Identifiers

PMID36805959
PMCPMC10078939
OpenAlexW4321331843

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

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.