Abstract
BackgroundInterventions to treat early prostate cancer (PCa) can leave men with debilitating sexual side effects. The cluster of side effects referred to as the neglected sexual side effects (NSSE) may remain permanent, undiagnosed and untreated because men are hesitant to disclose them. Questionnaires offer a discreet way into the discussion, subsequent diagnosis and possible treatment of the NSSE. This study will be conducted to map the evidence about the prevalence of the neglected sexual side effects (NSSE) after PCa treatment, and use of questionnaires in its diagnosis and screening.MethodsThis systematic scoping review will involve searching the following electronic databases: PubMed, Science Direct and Google Scholar. Following title searching, two-independent reviewers will conduct screening of abstracts and full articles. Eligibility criteria will guide the screenings. Data will be extracted from the included studies, and the emerging themes will be analysed. The review team will analyse the implications of the findings concerning the research question and aim of the study. The mixed method appraisal tool (MMAT) will be employed for quality appraisal of included studies.DiscussionWe anticipate finding a number of studies that describe the prevalence of NSSE after early PCa treatment and that report on using questionnaires to screen for the presence of symptoms including orgasm-associated incontinence, urinary incontinence during sexual stimulation, altered perceptions of orgasm, orgasm associated pain, penile shortening and penile deformity. The study findings will be disseminated through publication in a peer-reviewed journal, peer presentations and presentations at relevant conferences.
Highlights
Interventions to treat early prostate cancer (PCa) can leave men with debilitating sexual side effects
PCa treatment consisting of surgery or radiotherapy, either through external beam radiotherapy or brachytherapy, results in side effects including sexual dysfunction
With most research in the field of PCa focused around incontinence and erectile dysfunction, the neglected sexual side effects (NSSE) remains understudied and neglected [1, 18]
Summary
Interventions to treat early prostate cancer (PCa) can leave men with debilitating sexual side effects. This study will be conducted to map the evidence about the prevalence of the neglected sexual side effects (NSSE) after PCa treatment, and use of questionnaires in its diagnosis and screening. PCa treatment consisting of surgery or radiotherapy, either through external beam radiotherapy or brachytherapy, results in side effects including sexual dysfunction. Sexual dysfunction from PCa treatment is common regardless of whether the treatment modality included surgical or non-surgical interventions. Studies suggest that sexual dysfunction increase during each year of follow-up after the initial intervention, and it affects an average of 50% of patients within 5 years of receiving treatment [3]
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