Abstract
BackgroundThe impact of cancer diagnosis and treatment on sexual quality of life (SQoL) is a well-established survivorship issue for gynaecological cancer survivors (GCS), yet little is known on how to intervene.PurposeThe aim of this systematic review was to identify the factors explaining the variability in SQoL for GCS.MethodsWe used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework and the software Covidence. Electronic databases Scopus, Web of Science, PUBMED and CINAHL were searched for original research on GCS published between 2002 and 2018. We performed a two-stage screening process against selection criteria and quality assessment of individual studies. The Salutogenic Theory and the PRECEDE–PROCEED model were used as theoretical frameworks to identify and categorise factors.ResultsThe initial search yielded 3,505 articles resulting in a total of 46 studies used to examine the association between factors of SQoL and gynaecological cancers. Our findings suggested that SQoL varies across subgroups based on age, menopausal status, relationship status, and treatment modality. Protective factors included clinicians’ knowledge and confidence, preventive medical approach, risk and needs assessment, patient–clinician communication, relationship quality, psychosocial support, symptom management, accessibility of psychosexual care, and self-efficacy in the rediscovery of sexuality.ConclusionDespite the high incidence and long-term impact of sexual health issues on quality of life, supportive care needs are not being met. A better understanding of the evidence base around the factors of SQoL can help health professionals take steps to protect and improve SQoL in GCS.
Highlights
sexual quality of life (SQoL) as a key survivorship issue for gynaecological cancer survivors (GCS) survival rates for women diagnosed with gynaecological cancers are improving, the quality of life (QoL) for those women and their families often suffer as a result [1,2,3]
Survival rates for women diagnosed with gynaecological cancers are improving, the quality of life (QoL) for those women and their families often suffer as a result [1,2,3]
Our findings suggest that the SQoL of GCS varies across subgroups based on age, menopausal status, relationship status, and treatment modality (Table 2)
Summary
SQoL as a key survivorship issue for GCS survival rates for women diagnosed with gynaecological cancers are improving, the quality of life (QoL) for those women and their families often suffer as a result [1,2,3]. Despite sexuality being recognised as a key survivorship issue for gynaecological cancer survivors (GCS) [12, 13], little is known on how best to support SQoL in this population [8, 14]. This is an important public health issue considering that cancer treatment can extend life expectancy by 25–30 years [15]. The impact of cancer diagnosis and treatment on sexual quality of life (SQoL) is a well-established survivorship issue for gynaecological cancer survivors (GCS), yet little is known on how to intervene. A better understanding of the evidence base around the factors of SQoL can help health professionals take steps to protect and improve SQoL in GCS
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