Table 4.
Factors associated with communication
| Factor | # studies | Association with communication about sexual concerns | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greater communication | Less communication | No difference | ||
| Patient | ||||
| Younger patient age | 3 | 1 (mixed cancers[56]) | -- | 2 (prostate[42]; rectal[48]) |
| Male patient gender | 2 | 2 (mixed cancers[58]; rectal[48]) | -- | -- |
| Better patient sexual function | 1 | 1 (gynecological[50]) | -- | -- |
| Worse patient sexual function | 2 | 1 (mixed cancers[28]) | 1 (gynecological[50]) | -- |
| Cancer affecting genitals | 2 | 2 (mixed cancers[52, 58]) | -- | -- |
| Earlier cancer stage | 1 | 1 (mixed cancers[56]) | -- | -- |
| Patient in a relationship | 2 | -- | -- | 2 (mixed cancers[56]; rectal[48]) |
| Higher patient education | 1 | -- | -- | 1 (rectal[48]) |
| Time since diagnosis | 1 | -- | -- | 1 (gynecological[50]) |
| Type of treatment | 1 | -- | -- | 1 (gynecological[50]) |
| Third party in room | 1 | -- | -- | 1 (mixed cancers[56]) |
| Provider | ||||
| Greater number of years’experience | 3 | 2 (oncology nurses[59, 61]) | -- | 1 (radiation oncologists[56]) |
| Female provider gender | 3 | 1 (oncologists[52]) | -- | 2 (radiation oncologists[56]; mixed healthcare professionals[25]) |
| Older provider age | 1 | 1 (oncology nurses[59]) | -- | -- |
| Advanced training | 1 | 1 (oncology nurses[59]) | -- | -- |
| Departmental policy to raise issues | 1 | 1 (oncology nurses[59]) | -- | -- |
| Working on oncology unit | 1 | 1 (oncology nurses[61]) | -- | -- |