The impact of anal cancer treatment on female sexuality and intimacy: a systematic review.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Anal cancer has been on the increase for many years. Despite a higher incidence in women, most research focuses on men. Concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy is the gold standard of care in the curative setting. While the overall 5-year survival rate is about 70%, many women experience life-altering sequelae of treatment including those affecting sexual function and intimacy. This systematic review aims to identify and synthesise the patient-reported impacts of anal cancer treatment on female sexual function and intimacy.

Methods

We searched five electronic databases: Medline, CINHAL, Scopus, PsycINFO, and Embase from database inception to 7th October 2024. Quantitative and qualitative studies reporting patient-reported sexual function and intimacy impacts followi

SUBMITTER: Hayes M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12354548 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature