Sexual health is substantially affected by haematological malignancies and their treatments, and addressing intimate aspects of patients' lives enhances wellbeing and survivorship quality, yet novel multidisciplinary strategies are needed.
Sexual dysfunction is highly prevalent among patients with haematological malignancies, affecting both male and female patients.
Haematological cancer treatments including chemotherapy, radiation, and stem cell transplantation contribute to sexual dysfunction through multiple mechanisms.
Psychological and emotional factors significantly contribute to sexual health problems in patients with haematological cancers.
Multiple validated tools and instruments exist to assess sexual function in patients with haematological malignancies, though their use remains inconsistent in clinical practice.
Management of sexual health complications in haematological cancer patients requires a multidisciplinary approach encompassing pharmacological, psychological, and rehabilitative strategies.
Addressing sexual health in haematological cancer patients contributes to overall quality of life and survivorship quality.
This research examines how blood cancers (haematological malignancies) affect the sexual health and emotional wellbeing of patients. The study found that every stage of the cancer experience — from the initial diagnosis and the shock of being told one has cancer, through treatment, and into follow-up care — can negatively affect a person's sexual life and intimate relationships. Treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, and stem cell transplantation can cause hormonal changes, damage to reproductive organs, and physical side effects like fatigue and altered body image, all of which contribute to sexual difficulties. Psychological factors like depression and anxiety add to these challenges, and the effects extend beyond patients themselves to their partners and families. The paper highlights that both patients and their haematologists recognize sexual and intimacy issues as significant during cancer treatment, yet these concerns are often not adequately addressed in clinical care. Various tools exist to measure sexual function and wellbeing, but they are not consistently used. This research suggests that a coordinated, multidisciplinary team approach — involving doctors, psychologists, and other healthcare professionals — is needed to properly assess and manage sexual health alongside other aspects of cancer care. The broader implication is that attending to sexual health is not a peripheral concern but a meaningful part of cancer survivorship and overall quality of life. This research suggests that healthcare systems should develop more comprehensive, team-based strategies to support patients' intimate and emotional wellbeing throughout their cancer journey, recognizing that improvements in this area can enhance patients' overall experience of survivorship.
Alsuliman T, Rojas R, Moukalled N, Brissot E, Quarez-Blaise L, Marjanovic Z, et al.. (2024). Sexual health and emotional wellbeing of patients with haematological malignancies: general review.. The Lancet. Haematology. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-3026(24)00208-4