TY - JOUR
T1 - Sexual dysfunction and associated factors in adult survivors of childhood cancer
T2 - A cross-sectional study in China
AU - Yang, Funa
AU - Huang, Xinlin
AU - Yorke, Janelle
AU - Lam, Katherine Ka Wai
AU - Guo, Lanwei
AU - Liu, Qi
AU - Belay, Getaneh Mulualem
AU - Mao, Ting
AU - Sun, Qian
AU - Ho, Jacqueline Mei Chi
AU - Chi Fai, N. G.
AU - Cheng, Frankie Wai Tsoi
AU - Zhang, Yanli
AU - Zuo, Wenli
AU - Liu, Xin
AU - Cai, Ruiqing
AU - Wang, Wenying
AU - Xu, Xiaoxia
AU - Shi, Hongying
AU - Ho, Ka Yan
AU - Wong, Frances Kam Yuet
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 Elsevier Ltd.
PY - 2026/2
Y1 - 2026/2
N2 - Purpose Sexual functioning is a crucial component of general health. Less is known about the late effects of childhood cancer on adult survivors’ sexual functioning. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of sexual dysfunction among adult survivors of childhood cancer. Methods A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted. Survivors diagnosed with any cancer type before the age of 18, and aged more than 18 years old, were recruited by purposive sampling. From October to December 2023, potential survivors were identified from hospital information systems in four tertiary hospitals in mainland China. Invitations were sent to potential survivors between January to July 2024. Data were collected using a set of questionnaires based on a framework of associated factors of sexual functioning among adult survivors of childhood cancer. Descriptive and univariate analyses and multiple logistic regressions were conducted. Results 290 out of 720 approached survivors were included and completed the questionnaire. The prevalence of sexual dysfunction in female survivors was 66.18 % and 59.09 % in male survivors. The three most commonly reported sexual problems for female survivors were related to sexual desire, sexual arousal and sexual satisfaction; and those for male survivors were related to intercourse satisfaction, orgasmic function and overall satisfaction. The associated factors of sexual dysfunction among Chinese female survivors include comorbidities, menses, being overweight, depression, and sexual shame, while age at diagnosis, self-esteem, anxiety and depression, and sexual shame were found in male survivors. Conclusions The high prevalence of sexual dysfunction among Chinese adult survivors of childhood cancer underscores an urgent need for routine assessment and appropriate interventions. Our findings highlight modifiable psychological factors, e.g., depression, anxiety and sexual shame as important constructs that can be targeted by interventions, with an ultimate goal to improve sexual function among this population.
AB - Purpose Sexual functioning is a crucial component of general health. Less is known about the late effects of childhood cancer on adult survivors’ sexual functioning. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of sexual dysfunction among adult survivors of childhood cancer. Methods A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted. Survivors diagnosed with any cancer type before the age of 18, and aged more than 18 years old, were recruited by purposive sampling. From October to December 2023, potential survivors were identified from hospital information systems in four tertiary hospitals in mainland China. Invitations were sent to potential survivors between January to July 2024. Data were collected using a set of questionnaires based on a framework of associated factors of sexual functioning among adult survivors of childhood cancer. Descriptive and univariate analyses and multiple logistic regressions were conducted. Results 290 out of 720 approached survivors were included and completed the questionnaire. The prevalence of sexual dysfunction in female survivors was 66.18 % and 59.09 % in male survivors. The three most commonly reported sexual problems for female survivors were related to sexual desire, sexual arousal and sexual satisfaction; and those for male survivors were related to intercourse satisfaction, orgasmic function and overall satisfaction. The associated factors of sexual dysfunction among Chinese female survivors include comorbidities, menses, being overweight, depression, and sexual shame, while age at diagnosis, self-esteem, anxiety and depression, and sexual shame were found in male survivors. Conclusions The high prevalence of sexual dysfunction among Chinese adult survivors of childhood cancer underscores an urgent need for routine assessment and appropriate interventions. Our findings highlight modifiable psychological factors, e.g., depression, anxiety and sexual shame as important constructs that can be targeted by interventions, with an ultimate goal to improve sexual function among this population.
KW - Adult survivors of childhood cancer
KW - Associated factors
KW - Cross-sectional study
KW - Sexual dysfunction
KW - Sexual functioning
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105027681229
U2 - 10.1016/j.ejon.2025.103084
DO - 10.1016/j.ejon.2025.103084
M3 - Journal article
AN - SCOPUS:105027681229
SN - 1462-3889
VL - 80
JO - European Journal of Oncology Nursing
JF - European Journal of Oncology Nursing
M1 - 103084
ER -
