Sexual function in chronic illness and cancer perspectives of the patient, partner, and healthcare provider; innovations; and updates: recommendations from the Fifth International Consultation on Sexual Medicine (ICSM 2024).
Wylie K, Kirby M, et al. • Sexual medicine reviews • 2026
Chronic illness and cancer have considerable direct and indirect impacts on sexual function and relationships, and recognizing and addressing these issues is essential to optimize care for individuals and their partners.
Key Findings
Background
Chronic illness and cancer pose a substantial burden to sexual function for both patients and their sexual partners.
The review was convened by the Fifth International Consultation on Sexual Medicine (ICSM 2024).
A multidisciplinary panel conducted a narrative review of current literature combined with expert consensus.
Both direct and indirect effects of chronic diseases, breast and gynecological cancers, and oncological treatments on sexual health and relationships were identified.
The impact was characterized as 'considerable' across multiple domains of sexual function and relationships.
Results
The review specifically examined sexual health impacts across multiple disease categories including chronic diseases, breast cancer, and gynecological cancers.
Breast cancer and gynecological cancers were highlighted as specific oncological categories with notable sexual health implications.
Both the diseases themselves and their associated treatment interventions were found to impact sexual function.
The review addressed perspectives from three distinct stakeholder groups: patients, partners, and healthcare providers.
Oncological treatments were identified as contributing independently to sexual dysfunction beyond the disease itself.
Conclusions
Recognition and addressing of sexual health issues in chronic illness and cancer is emphasized as important for optimizing care.
The panel issued consensus recommendations aimed at clinicians and researchers.
Understanding the impact of chronic illness and cancers 'can aid clinicians and researchers in providing optimal care to the individual and their partner(s).'
The review incorporated perspectives of partners, not just patients, underscoring the relational dimension of sexual health in chronic illness.
Innovations and updates in the field were included as part of the ICSM 2024 recommendations.
Methods
Healthcare provider perspectives were incorporated alongside patient and partner perspectives as a distinct and relevant viewpoint in addressing sexual dysfunction in chronic illness and cancer.
The manuscript reviews sexual function 'from the perspectives of patients, partners, and healthcare providers.'
A multidisciplinary panel composition was used to capture these multiple perspectives.
This tripartite framework represents a methodological approach to comprehensively addressing sexual health in these populations.
The inclusion of healthcare provider perspectives suggests recognition of gaps or challenges in clinical practice around sexual health discussions.
What This Means
This research paper, produced by an international group of experts at the Fifth International Consultation on Sexual Medicine in 2024, reviewed what is currently known about how chronic diseases and cancers—particularly breast and gynecological cancers—affect the sexual health and intimate relationships of patients and their partners. The expert panel examined evidence from multiple angles, including the perspectives of patients, their partners, and the healthcare providers who treat them. They found that the impact on sexual function is substantial, arising both from the diseases themselves and from the treatments used to manage them.
The review highlights that sexual health problems in people living with chronic illness or cancer are not just a patient issue—they affect partners and relationships as well. Both the physical effects of disease and treatment (such as surgery, chemotherapy, or hormone therapies) and the psychological and relational consequences can significantly alter sexual wellbeing. The panel emphasized that these issues deserve active attention from clinicians rather than being overlooked in the broader context of managing serious illness.
This research suggests that healthcare providers who treat people with chronic illness or cancer should be aware of and prepared to address sexual health concerns as part of comprehensive patient care. By understanding how these conditions and their treatments affect sexuality, clinicians may be better equipped to have these conversations, refer patients to appropriate specialists, and support both patients and their partners. The paper also points toward ongoing innovations in this field that may offer new approaches to supporting sexual health in these populations.
Wylie K, Kirby M, Nimbi F, Krychman M, Reese J, Marshall D. (2026). Sexual function in chronic illness and cancer perspectives of the patient, partner, and healthcare provider; innovations; and updates: recommendations from the Fifth International Consultation on Sexual Medicine (ICSM 2024).. Sexual medicine reviews. https://doi.org/10.1093/sxmrev/qeag002