Sexual Quality of Life, Self-Compassion and Desire to Use Onco-Sexology Support by Cancer Patients

Background: Cancer and its treatments may affect the sexual quality of life (SQoL) of cancer patients, but the use of onco-sexology support (OSS) is relatively rare; it is therefore important to identify the intrinsic factors associated with health behaviours. Aim: To evaluate the role of self-compassion (SC) on the desire of cancer patients to use onco-sexology support (DUOSS), according to their SQoL. Methods: Five hundred patients were contacted by mail and asked to complete questionnaires on their SQoL, SC and DUOSS. Outcomes The primary outcome was the role of SC on DUOSS as a function of SQoL, and the secondary outcome was the relationship between SC, SQoL and DUOSS Results: Five hundred patients were contacted and 96 (19.2%) took part in the study (mean age 54.2 years, 93.7% female). The participants were divided into two groups: Group 1, patients reporting a satisfactory SQoL (n=41); and Group 2, patients reporting an unsatisfactory SQoL (n=55). Significant differences were observed in SC and DUOSS, and in several demographic (marital status) and clinical (type of treatment) characteristics between G1 and G2. A positive association was found between SQoL and SC, and between SQoL and DUOSS, and there was an indirect link between SC, SQoL and DUOSS. Clinical implications SC has an important role in SQoL and interventions should be developed to target SC over the course of care of cancer patients. Strengths and Limitations The strengths of the study are the large number of participants and the fact that this is the first study on SC and its possible role in DUOSS. The study is limited by the sample composition, which consisted mainly of women, limiting the external validity of the results. In addition, the body image of the patient or the sexual satisfaction of the partner were not evaluated. Conclusion: SC is a contributing factor to DUOSS in cancer patients with a poor SQoL and interventions should focus on SC from the start of anti-cancer treatment to improve SQoL and encourage the use of OSS.