Sexual health is important to cancer patients but remains underdiscussed, with 44% of patients having spoken to a professional about it and more than half of professionals not raising the topic with their patients.
Key Findings
Results
Only 44% of cancer patients had discussed sexual health with a healthcare professional, and the majority of those who did so had taken the initiative themselves.
Two separate surveys were conducted: one among patients and one among professionals, both associated with a patient association
44% of patients had discussed the subject with a professional
The majority of patient-professional discussions on sexual health were initiated by the patients themselves, not the professionals
This suggests a systemic failure of professionals to proactively raise the topic
Results
More than half of healthcare professionals reported not discussing sexual health with their cancer patients.
A separate survey was conducted among professionals in cancer care settings
More than 50% of professionals did not raise the topic of sexual health with patients
This finding contrasts with the relatively high importance patients placed on having their intimate and sexual life taken into account
The gap between patient need and professional practice was a central finding of the study
Results
The importance attached to taking intimate and sexual life into account in cancer care was rated fairly high by patients.
The patient survey assessed the value placed on sexual health as part of overall cancer care
Patients generally considered their intimate and sexual life to be an important component of well-being and quality of life
Despite this, the majority had not had conversations with professionals about this topic
This underscores the unmet need in current cancer care practice
Results
Patients most commonly requested a dedicated consultation (38%) and exchanges with other people with cancer (21%) as forms of sexual health support.
38% of patients requested a dedicated consultation focused on sexual health
21% of patients expressed interest in peer exchanges with other cancer patients
These preferences suggest patients want both professional guidance and peer support structures
The findings point to specific service models that could address unmet needs
Results
Healthcare professionals identified specific training, peer exchange time, and practical resources as their primary needs for addressing sexual health in cancer care.
Professionals reported needing specific training on sexual health in oncology contexts
Time to exchange and share experiences with other professionals was identified as a need
Practical resources such as documentation and reference websites were also cited as necessary
The authors concluded that 'professional training and appropriate tools seem necessary to meet patients' expectations'
Background
Sexual health is identified as a central aspect of well-being and quality of life for cancer patients, framing it as a fundamental care concern rather than a peripheral one.
The study framed sexual health as 'a central aspect of the well-being and quality of life of cancer patients'
The study was conducted through a patient association, indicating community-driven research priorities
The dual survey methodology (patients and professionals) was designed to assess both needs and current practices
The study was published in Bulletin du Cancer in 2025
What This Means
This research suggests that sexual health is something cancer patients care deeply about, but it is rarely discussed during cancer care. Two surveys — one given to cancer patients and one to healthcare professionals — found a significant gap: while patients rated their intimate and sexual lives as an important part of their overall well-being, fewer than half (44%) had ever talked about it with a healthcare provider, and most of those who did had to bring it up themselves. On the other side, more than half of the healthcare professionals surveyed admitted they did not raise sexual health topics with their patients.
This research suggests that patients are not getting the support they want in this area. When asked what would help, patients most commonly said they would want a dedicated consultation focused on sexual health (38%) and opportunities to talk with other cancer patients going through similar experiences (21%). Meanwhile, professionals said they needed better training, more time to discuss the topic with colleagues, and practical tools like educational materials and reference websites to feel equipped to address these conversations.
The practical implication of this study is that the barrier to better sexual health support in cancer care appears to be systemic — not a lack of patient interest, but a lack of professional training and structured opportunities to raise the topic. This research suggests that creating dedicated consultations, providing targeted professional training, and developing accessible resources could help close the gap between what patients need and what they currently receive.
Douvrel A, Fenouil X, Testu S, Guillot E, Buiret G, Combe C. (2025). [Sexual health in cancer care: A cross-section of patients and professionals from a patient association].. Bulletin du cancer. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bulcan.2024.11.007