Barcellini Amelia, Cassani Chiara, Fontana Giulia, Orlandi Ester, Macchia Gabriella, Mangili Giorgia, Pignata Sandro, Locati Laura Deborah, Nappi Rossella E
Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy; Radiation Oncology Unit, Clinical Department, CNAO National Center for Oncological Hadrontherapy, Pavia, Italy.
Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy; Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Foundation IRCCS Polyclinic San Matteo, Pavia, Italy.
J Cancer Policy. 2025 Mar;43:100556. doi: 10.1016/j.jcpo.2024.100556. Epub 2024 Dec 30.
Compared to male patients, sexual health remains poorly studied in women and sexual gender minority (SGM) patients with cancers.
An online survey was developed by a multidisciplinary team to assess the awareness and attitude of Italian oncological providers facing sexual health during or after cancer treatment. On behalf of the respective scientific committees, the questionnaire was sent to Multicenter Italian Trials in Ovarian cancer and gynecologic malignancies group (MITO) and to Italian Association of Radiation Oncology (AIRO) Group. Four dedicated sections analyzed participants' demographic data, clinical context, communication and assessment practices, possible barriers, and treatment approaches.
A total of 184 clinicians responded to the survey for an overall response rate of 20.8 %. Patient's gender identity and sexual orientation were not routinely assessed, and several barriers were recorded. There was a high attitude to talk about the iatrogenic potential of sexual dysfunction with patients, even if up to 39.7 % of the respondents declared average/extreme difficulty in facing this issue. Radiation and medical oncologists more frequently refer patients to dedicated specialists to manage iatrogenic sexual dysfunctions.
Sexual health is a key component of comprehensive care for female and SGM patients during their oncological journey. Despite the high attitude to talk about iatrogenic sexual dysfunctions in Italian providers, the present study highlighted the need for specific training and guidelines on sex-related health issues encountered by women and SGM patients.
Despite the recognized need for specialized care, there remain significant gap and barriers in knowledge regarding sexual health management in women and SGM patients. Our study highlights the urgent need to enhance healthcare provider training, equipping them with the necessary tools to recognize, discuss, and treat this type of toxicity, which has a significant impact on the social well-being and quality of life of long-term survivors.
与男性患者相比，女性和患有癌症的性少数群体（SGM）患者的性健康研究仍然不足。
一个多学科团队开展了一项在线调查，以评估意大利肿瘤治疗提供者在癌症治疗期间或之后对性健康的认知和态度。问卷代表各自的科学委员会发送给了意大利卵巢癌和妇科恶性肿瘤多中心试验组（MITO）以及意大利放射肿瘤学会（AIRO）组。四个专门部分分析了参与者的人口统计学数据、临床背景、沟通和评估实践、可能的障碍以及治疗方法。
共有184名临床医生回复了调查，总体回复率为20.8%。患者的性别认同和性取向未被常规评估，并且记录了几个障碍。即使高达39.7%的受访者表示在面对这个问题时存在中等/极大困难，但对于与患者谈论性功能障碍的医源性可能性仍有很高的意愿。放射肿瘤学家和医学肿瘤学家更频繁地将患者转介给专科医生来处理医源性性功能障碍。
性健康是女性和SGM患者肿瘤治疗过程中综合护理的关键组成部分。尽管意大利的医疗提供者对谈论医源性性功能障碍有很高的意愿，但本研究强调了针对女性和SGM患者遇到的性健康相关问题进行特定培训和制定指南的必要性。
尽管人们认识到需要专科护理，但在女性和SGM患者性健康管理的知识方面仍然存在重大差距和障碍。我们的研究强调迫切需要加强医疗保健提供者的培训，使他们具备识别、讨论和治疗这类对长期幸存者的社会福祉和生活质量有重大影响的毒性反应的必要工具。
