Sexual dysfunction is common among lung cancer patients, with less than half reporting recent sexual activity and many expressing little to no interest or satisfaction, yet it remains an underassessed concern in oncology care.
Less than half of lung cancer patients in treatment reported recent sexual activity.
The majority of lung cancer patients reported little to no interest in sexual activity.
Fatigue and anxiety/stress were the most commonly reported factors affecting sexual satisfaction.
Lack of interest, erectile difficulties, and partner-related issues were the primary reasons reported for decreased sexual activity.
A significant association was found between sexual dysfunction scores and the perceived impact of lung cancer on sexual life.
The study sample was predominantly composed of male patients with advanced-stage lung cancer.
This research suggests that sexual dysfunction is a common but underrecognized problem among people being treated for lung cancer. In a survey of 61 lung cancer patients, fewer than half reported any recent sexual activity, and more than half had little to no interest in sex. Many also reported low satisfaction with their sex lives. The most common reasons patients gave for these difficulties included fatigue, anxiety and stress, lack of interest, problems with erections, and issues within their relationships with partners. The study also found that patients who scored higher on measures of sexual dysfunction were more likely to feel that lung cancer had negatively affected their sexual lives. This suggests the two are closely connected — that the disease and its treatment take a meaningful toll on this aspect of patients' wellbeing. Most participants had advanced (stage IV) lung cancer, meaning these findings are particularly relevant to people managing a serious, ongoing illness. This research suggests that sexual health concerns are not being adequately addressed in lung cancer care, even though they affect a substantial proportion of patients. The authors conclude that oncology teams should implement routine assessment of sexual health and offer appropriate interventions, as doing so could meaningfully improve patients' quality of life during and after treatment.
Costa M, Fernandes C, Leite J, Vilaça M, Estevinho F, Magalhães H. (2025). Sexual Health of Patients in Treatment for Lung Cancer: An Undercover Concern for Patients and Oncologists.. Current oncology (Toronto, Ont.). https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol32020107