High Sexual dysfunction among women with lung cancer

Sexual dysfunction is highly prevalent in women with lung cancer with most survey participants reporting little to no interest in sexual activity, according to research led by Narjust Florez.

Reporting results of the Sexual Health Assessment in Women with Lung Cancer (SHAWL) study, researchers show marked differences in sexual desire/interest and vaginal pain/discomfort when comparing before and after a lung cancer diagnosis.

The SHAWL study is an observational, cross-sectional, international survey administered via the GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer and the Lung Cancer Registry. The study utilized the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS®) Sexual Function and Satisfaction Measures (a validated questionnaire) to evaluate sexual health.

Study participants, mostly females were recruited between June 2020 to June 2021. Participants were asked about sexual activity pre-lung cancer diagnosis and over the "past 30 days" prior to completing the survey.

Of the 249 women who completed the survey, 64% of patients had stage IV lung cancer and 45% were receiving targeted therapy with 87% taking the medication for more than six months. At the time of survey completion, 33% were taking anti-depressants and 14% were taking beta-blockers. Within the prior 30 days, 53% of participants had sexual activity with themselves or someone else. 77% of participants reported little to no interest in sexual activity, and 67% stated rarely or never wanting to have sexual activity. The most common reasons negatively affecting participants' satisfaction with their sex life included fatigue 40%, feeling sad/unhappy 28%, issues with their partners 22%, and shortness of breath 15%.

When comparing before and after the lung cancer diagnosis, marked differences were noted in decreased sexual desire/interest 15% vs. 31% and vaginal pain/discomfort13% vs. 43%. Out of the 127 participants that had sexual activity in the last 30 days, 59% reported significant issues with vaginal dryness and 26% vaginal pain/discomfort during sexual activity.

Ref: Narjust Florez et. al, Sexual dysfunction high among women with lung cancer, DANA-FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE,9-AUG-2022