Sexual function measurement and outcomes in cancer survivors and matched controls

Depending on diagnosis, gender; and treatment, as few as 10% or as many as 90% of cancer survivors have reported sexual problems. Inconsistencies and inadequacies in measurement have confounded efforts to fully understand and treat these difficulties. A Sexual Function questionnaire (SFQ) was develo ped and administered to 400 cancer survivors or matched, noncancer controls . Participants were sexually active or inactive, male or female, heterosexu al or homosexual. Nine subscales and two summary scores had internal reliab ilities above .80, with factor loadings above .50 for all items. Test-retes t reliability, as well as content, construct, criterion, discriminant, and confirmatory validity supported the measure's psychometric strength. Cancer survivors indicated poorer function than controls, with postmenopausal wom en reporting the poorest sexual function. Survivors' sexual function droppe d significantly posttreatment compared to pretreatment. The SFQ provided a valid, reliable outcome measure for use in cancer research or with other me dical groups and physically healthy subjects.