Impact of Testicular Cancer and Treatment on the Sexuality of Testicular Cancer Survivors

• Published in: Journal of Japanese Society of Cancer Nursing Vol. 36; p. 36_11_takane
• Main Authors: Takane, Hidenari, Sugawara, Yoshie
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: Japanese Society of Cancer Nursing 01.02.2022
• Subjects: cancer survivor; male; sexuality; testicular cancer
• ISSN: 0914-6423; 2189-7565
• DOI: 10.18906/jjscn.36_11_takane

Purpose: To clarify how testicular cancer and its treatment affects the sexuality of testicular cancer survivors'Method: Participants were survivors with a diagnosis of testicular cancer who were visiting an outpatient clinic post completion of treatment. Semi-structured interviews were conducted for the qualitative and descriptive study. The interviews were recorded, and the contents were analyzed.Results: The study participants included 11 testicular cancer survivors (mean age: 39.8 years). The results of content analysis were classified into six main categories in terms of the impact of testicular cancer treatment on sexuality. The categories included “I think I will lose masculinity due to changes in body image and inability to work”, “As I go through the treatment , I found that my masculinity didn't change”, “Concerns about spermatogenic function and the growth of my child who was born after my treatment”, “There’s no life-change by status of libido”, “ Entire life goes wrong by libido and motivation”, and “Reframe one's masculinity”.Discussion: Participants experienced unpredictable changes in sexuality after discharge from the hospital, such as a diminished libido and motivation. Changes in sexuality only became apparent post completion of the treatment, and patients experienced difficulty dealing with problems concerning their sexuality. Therefore, it is necessary to provide testicular cancer survivors with resources concerning potential sexuality issues and the potential means for coping with such issues. Furthermore, it was also suggested that nursing support should be provided for reframe one's masculinity.