Exploring Communication About Intimacy and Sexuality: What Are the Preferences of Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer and Their Health Care Professionals?

摘要

Purpose: Negative impact of cancer on sexuality is widely known. In adolescents and young adults with cancer (AYA; 15-39 years), treatment can even have a bigger impact as it may interfere with sexual development. AYAs report unmet psychosexual needs, like inadequate support from health care professionals (HCPs). The aim of this study was to determine preferences of AYAs regarding communication about intimacy and sexuality and examine discrepancies between AYA and HCP.