Characterizing sexuality and assessing predictors of sexual satisfaction in patients with multiple myeloma and other hematological cancers

Purpose: Existing studies documenting cancer-related sexual concerns among hematological cancer patients tend to group all types of hematological cancer together, overlooking potentially unique concerns associated with multiple myeloma (MM). This study is the first to characterize sexuality in MM and to examine predictors of sexual satisfaction for MM, comparatively with participants with other hematological cancer types.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional self-report survey-based study. Adult participants were eligible to participate, provided they were sexually active (alone or with a partner) and had a diagnosis of hematological cancer.

Results: Men and women with MM (N = 44) and other hematological cancers (N = 37) participated. MM survivors exhibited poor sexual function but low sexual distress and endorsed mid-high scores on measures of sexual flexibility, sexual communication, and sexual satisfaction. No group differences were observed on sexuality variables. Results indicate that for MM and other hematological cancer survivors, lower sexual distress (b = -.72, p < .001) and higher sexual communication (b = .45, p < .001) were associated with higher sexual satisfaction, while sexual flexibility and sexual function were not significantly associated with sexual satisfaction.

Conclusion: Despite experiencing poor sexual function, many MM patients have low levels of sexual distress. Similar interventions to improve distress and communication may be appropriate for both groups of patients and may be valuable for efforts to improve sexual satisfaction.