Table 1.
Studies that reported prevalence rates of sexual health-related support needs (n = 10) among young adult cancer patients/survivors (in descending order of reported rates; see Online Resource 3 for the potential risk of bias in each study)
| 1st author Year Location |
N | Sex | Diagnosis (most common) | Age at/time since diagnosis | Age at study | Measurea | Reported prevalence rates of sexual health-related care needs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Graugaard 2018 [34] Denmark |
822 | 51% Female | Mixed (melanoma) |
Mage = 24, 15–29 Mtime = 3.9 years, 1–7 |
28, 17–36 | Self-developed |
- Sex-related discussions during follow-up: 61.7% unmet needs - Sex-related discussions during hospitalization: 49.5% unmet needs |
|
Sender 2019 [61] Germany |
514 | 75% Female | Mixed (breast) |
Mage = 30 (6.1), 18–39 Mtime = 12.1 months |
nr | SCNS-SF34 [54] |
- 49.6% at baseline - 46.9% 1 year later |
|
Zebrack 2009 [24] USA |
879 | 72% Female | Mixed (Hodgkin) | Mage = 26 (5.8), 15–35 | 30 (8.1), 18–39 | Self-developed | - 40.2% needed counseling/ guidance (which remained unmet for 73.7% [= 30% of total sample]) |
|
Geue 2015 [59] Germany |
99 | 66% Female | Mixed (hematological) |
Age: 15–39 Mtime = 30 months |
33 (5.6), 18–45 | 1 SCNS-item: changes in sexual feelings | - 38.3% |
|
Bender 2012 [58] Canada |
204 | 100% Male | Testicular | Mtime = 2.2 (1.1) years | 36 (10.5) |
Adapted CaSUN-item |
- 37% (not in top 10 met or unmet needs) |
|
Hall 2012 [60] Australia |
58 | 71% Female | Mixed (melanoma) |
Mage = 35, 18–40 Mtime = 7 months |
18–40 | SCNS-SF34 [54] | - 29.3% |
|
Smith 2013 [62] Australia |
244 | 100% Male | Testicular |
Mage = 35, 16–69 Mtime = 2.3 (< 5) years post treatment |
38 (10.3), E21–68 | CaSUN-item [55] | - 23% (2nd most common need) |
|
Jonker Pool 2004 [57] Netherlands |
264, 50 |
100% Male | Testicular (lymphoma) |
Mage = 29/34 (17–70) Mtime = 5.9 years |
36/42 | Self-developed | - 21.5% testicular cancer vs. 8% lymphoma survivors |
|
Zebrack 2013 [63] USA |
111 | 53% Female | Mixed (breast) |
41% aged 20–29 59% aged 30–39 years Mtime = 66 days |
31 (6.0) | Needs questionnaire [24]b |
- Counseling/guidance related to sexuality/intimacy: - Age 20–29: 14.6% unmet need - Age 30–39; 21.5% unmet need |
|
Kedde 2013 [56] Netherlands |
332 | 100% Female | Breast | < 6 years; 43% completed treatment | 39, 22–49 | Self-developed | - 15.2% unmet needs (i.e., 50.6% reported sexual dysfunction, of whom 50% ever perceived a need for sex-related care, but 60% did not receive it) |