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Sexual quality of life in men with prostate cancer
Author(s) -
Ofman Ursula S.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(19950401)75:7+<1949::aid-cncr2820751631>3.0.co;2-m
Subject(s) - medicine , prostate cancer , prostate , quality of life (healthcare) , sexual life , gynecology , gerontology , cancer , oncology , nursing
The sexual side effects of prostate cancer treatments long e been of interest to researchers and clinicians alike. Except for “observation only” treatment, all interventions for neoplasms of the prostate carry a high probability for iatrogenic sexual dysfunction, specifically diminished sexual desire, erectile dysfunction, and lack of ejaculation. Even the untreated patient has to cope with the fact that he has cancer. Having to face his own mortality perhaps for the first time may lead the patient to suffer emotional difficulties, and this realization can interfere with a man's sexual self‐image and his sexual desire and performance. Aside from experiencing physical side effects, men treated for localized and advanced stage disease have to cope with an assault on their sense of masculinity after their genitals and/or hormonal functioning have been altered. This paper explores the issue of sexual impairment in patients with prostate cancer. Because of the far‐reaching consequences of prostate cancer treatment for a man self‐image, includes not only sexual functioning, but the related aspects of male sexuality. The available literature is discussed, and clinical observations regarding this population are offered and formulated in terms of future direction for quality‐of‐life research with this population. Cancer 1995;75:1949–53.