TY - JOUR
T1 - The impact of advanced cancer on sexual health and relationships
T2 - A qualitative study on patient and partner perspectives
AU - Ho, Julia Fee Voon
AU - Cheong, Mark Wing Loong
AU - Lee, Qian Yi
AU - Wong, Puy Lyng
AU - Mustafa, Hasrina
AU - Goh, Pei Hwa
AU - Yaakup, Hayati
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2025. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits non-commercial use, reproduction and distribution of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access pages (https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage).
PY - 2026/4
Y1 - 2026/4
N2 - Background: Sexual health is a significant aspect of health-related quality of life. Impaired sexual health adversely affects the well-being and relationship between cancer patients and their partners. Aim: To investigate the attitudes and perceptions of sexual health among advanced cancer patients and partners, and the impact of cancer on sexual health in the Asian context. Design: Reflexive thematic analysis was applied to the data collected from semi-structured face-to-face interviews, which were transcribed verbatim. Setting/Participants: Stage 3 and 4 cancer patients and partners were recruited at the oncology outpatient clinic in Malaysia. Results: Eighteen patients (13 [72%] female, median age 38.5 (interquartile range 17.5) years and nine partners (8 [89%] male, median age 33 (interquartile range 15) years were interviewed. Main themes include: (1) physical intimacy remains a vital part of the relationship, (2) impact of cancer on sexual desire, activity and satisfaction, (3) impact of cancer on patient-partner relationship, (4) changes in perceptions of body image, attractiveness and self-esteem, and (5) patient-partner coping mechanisms. Most participants perceived both physical and emotional intimacy as important and felt their relationship improved post-cancer due to better communication and more support from their partners. Coping strategies include acceptance of their illness, prioritising cancer control over sexual needs, and finding meaning through spirituality. Conclusion: Although cancer can reduce sexual desire and satisfaction, sexual health and relationship well-being can be maintained through emotional and physical intimacy, improved communication, companionship and support, and psycho-spiritual coping strategies. Further research is needed to develop sexual health interventions that are culturally adaptable and effective across diverse populations.
AB - Background: Sexual health is a significant aspect of health-related quality of life. Impaired sexual health adversely affects the well-being and relationship between cancer patients and their partners. Aim: To investigate the attitudes and perceptions of sexual health among advanced cancer patients and partners, and the impact of cancer on sexual health in the Asian context. Design: Reflexive thematic analysis was applied to the data collected from semi-structured face-to-face interviews, which were transcribed verbatim. Setting/Participants: Stage 3 and 4 cancer patients and partners were recruited at the oncology outpatient clinic in Malaysia. Results: Eighteen patients (13 [72%] female, median age 38.5 (interquartile range 17.5) years and nine partners (8 [89%] male, median age 33 (interquartile range 15) years were interviewed. Main themes include: (1) physical intimacy remains a vital part of the relationship, (2) impact of cancer on sexual desire, activity and satisfaction, (3) impact of cancer on patient-partner relationship, (4) changes in perceptions of body image, attractiveness and self-esteem, and (5) patient-partner coping mechanisms. Most participants perceived both physical and emotional intimacy as important and felt their relationship improved post-cancer due to better communication and more support from their partners. Coping strategies include acceptance of their illness, prioritising cancer control over sexual needs, and finding meaning through spirituality. Conclusion: Although cancer can reduce sexual desire and satisfaction, sexual health and relationship well-being can be maintained through emotional and physical intimacy, improved communication, companionship and support, and psycho-spiritual coping strategies. Further research is needed to develop sexual health interventions that are culturally adaptable and effective across diverse populations.
KW - neoplasms
KW - palliative care
KW - patient perspective
KW - qualitative research
KW - sexual health
KW - sexual partner
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105021421900
U2 - 10.1177/02692163251385874
DO - 10.1177/02692163251385874
M3 - Article
C2 - 41199530
AN - SCOPUS:105021421900
SN - 0269-2163
VL - 40
SP - 422
EP - 431
JO - Palliative Medicine
JF - Palliative Medicine
IS - 4
ER -
SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being