Sexual outcomes following treatment for early stage gynecological cancer: a prospective multicenter study

Data are presented of a prospective, longitudinal study on the impact of ea rly stage gynecological cancer on sexuality. Women with a partner (rr = 58) completed self-report questionnaires following diagnosis but prior to trea tment and then at 6 and 12 months post-treatment. A single assessment was a lso obtained from a healthy comparison group (n = 103). Pre-treatment cance r patients reported fewer and less trouble with sexual problems compared to healthy controls. Neither sexual satisfaction nor sexual activity changed from pre- to post-treatment and was comparable to that of healthy controls. Post-treatment, relatively minor sexual difficulties were shown; a notable difficulty for cancer patients concerned lubrication. At 12 months post-tr eatment, the sexual functioning of cancer patients was comparable to health y controls.