Sexual morbidity in very long term survivors of vaginal and cervical cancer: A comparison to national norms

ObjectivesTo compare sexuality among very long term survivors of vaginal and cervical cancer to national norms and assess quality of care for sexual problems.MethodsA survey of survivors in a cancer registry (n = 221) provided data comparable to the 1992 National Health and Social Life Survey (NHSLS). The NHSLS sample was individually matched on age and race to survivors at a 2:1 ratio. Responses were compared using conditional logistic regression and two-sample t-tests. Correlates of sexual problems among survivors were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression.ResultsSurvivors' mean age was 49 years (SD = 6.0); median survivorship was 26.8 years (range 5.5–39.7). Survivors and controls reported similar levels of sexual partnership and activity, but sexual problems were significantly more prevalent among survivors (mean number of problems 2.6 versus 1.1, P < 0.001). Satisfaction with care for sexual problems was lower than with cancer care overall (5.5 versus 8.0/10, P < 0.001). While 74% believed that physicians should discuss sex, 62% reported never discussing the effect of genital tract cancer on sexuality. In adjusted analysis, survivors reporting no such discussion were significantly more likely to exhibit current complex sexual morbidity (≥ 3 concurrent sexual problems) (OR 2.74, 95% CI 1.14–6.58).ConclusionsDespite profoundly more sexual problems, survivors' rate of sexual partnership and activity was similar to population controls. Satisfaction with care relating to sexuality was significantly lower than with cancer care overall. Conversation with a physician about the sexual effects of cancer is associated with significantly lower likelihood of complex sexual morbidity among very long term survivors.