Sexual Function in Women with Colorectal/Anal Cancer

Background: Treatments for colorectal and anal cancers can have a detrimental impact on sexual function. Type of treatment, which may include surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy, varies by disease site and severity. Treatment and long-term side effects can impact sexual function and intimacy for patients and their partners.

Aim: To review the literature regarding treatment for colorectal/anal cancer and its impact on female sexual function, and to provide an assessment of medical outcomes and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) of women with a history of colon, rectal, or anal cancer seeking sexual health treatment.

Methods: We performed a PubMed search to identify peer-reviewed, English-language articles published between 2008 to 2018, using the following search terms: "colorectal cancer," or "rectal cancer," or "anal cancer" and "sexual function," or "sexual dysfunction." We also assessed the medical outcomes and PROs from our recent cross-sectional cohort study of 99 women with a history of colon, rectal, or anal cancer seeking sexual health treatment.

Main outcome measures: Sexual function, quality of life, and PROs after colorectal/anal cancer.

Results: A total of 23 studies were identified. Study designs included 15 cross-sectional survey studies, 5 longitudinal studies, 2 psychoeducational interventions, and 1 pilot study. 10 studies included only women, and 13 included both men and women. The literature and our cohort confirmed that women with colorectal/anal cancer experience changes in sexual function after diagnosis and throughout the continuum of care; however, the scarcity of data in this area indicates a need for additional intervention trials and longitudinal studies.

Conclusions: Research studies with large sample sizes and long study durations are needed to help us better understand the needs of female survivors of colorectal/anal cancer. Women with colorectal/anal cancer need simple strategies and resources to address concerns of sexual function after cancer treatment. Such interventions have been shown to enhance survivorship and quality of life. Canty J, Stabile C, Milli L, et al. Sexual Function in Women with Colorectal/Anal Cancer. Sex Med Rev 2019;7:202-222.