Skip to main content
. 2024 Jul 3;73:102695. doi: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102695

Table 3.

The key findings in psychosexual development of CCSs.

Key findings Detailed information or examples References
  • A delay in psychosexual development

  • Most survivors reached all milestones of psychosexual development at an average age of 29.8 years.

  • Taking sexual debut as an example, the age of sexual debut was older than healthy peers, females were 1.6 years older and males were 1.5 years older than healthy peers.

40
  • No difference in age to achieving milestones of psychosexual development.

  • e.g. including sexual fantasies, kissing, male masturbation, and oral sex.

42
  • Most CCSs perceived the milestones were achieved at the right time.

  • CCSs preferred to delay rather than reach milestones earlier, including first physical intimacy, sexual debut, and falling in love.

40,45
  • Females were slightly more likely to have experienced sexuality than males.

  • e.g. first relationship, first kiss, and experience with physical intimacy relative.

45
  • Relationship between neurotoxicity and psychosexual development.

  • High-dose neurotoxic group were less likely to experience sexual debut and being partnered than survivors in low-dose and non-neurotoxic group.

  • The rates of sexual debut were lower with increased neurotoxic treatment intensity.

39,40
  • Relationship between the type of diagnosis and psychosexual development.

  • Survivors with brain tumors and leukemia were least likely to be sexually experienced and to be partnered.

39,45
  • Different perspectives on the impact of cancer on psychosexual development.

  • A qualitative study explored romantic development and sexual relationships, of which half participants reported negative impacts of cancer on romantic relationships, and other perceived positive experiences or no impact.

33