New study finds long-term sexual dysfunction common after cancer treatment

A major Danish study reveals that sexual problems persist for years after cancer treatment, affecting a far greater number of survivors than previously expected, DR reports.

Researchers found that 42% of women and 34% of cancer survivors reported no sexual activity in the past year—significantly higher than among those without a cancer history. The findings, based on data from over 4,000 former cancer patients and 58,000 cancer-free individuals, challenge assumptions that such issues are limited to reproductive or pelvic cancers.

Pernille Bidstrup, a psychologist with the Danish Cancer Society and co-author of the study, called the results surprising. “We see sexual late effects across all cancer types, not just those affecting the lower body,” she said. “Physical functions like arousal, pain during intercourse, and erectile dysfunction are commonly impacted, along with broader effects on relationships and desire.”

The study also highlights a persistent stigma around discussing sexual health in cancer care. “It’s a major taboo,” Bidstrup noted, adding that both patients and healthcare providers often avoid the topic. To address this, researchers have developed training materials for medical staff to better support patients.

Susanne Duus, a nurse, sexologist, and advisor at the Danish Cancer Society, described how treatments—ranging from surgery to medication—can alter survivors’ bodies and self-perception. “Spontaneous desire often disappears, and sex becomes something that needs planning, which is difficult during or after exhausting treatment,” she explained. “Patients tell us they miss intimacy deeply but struggle with fatigue, pain, or simply not recognizing themselves anymore.”

The study is the largest to date on sexual late effects in cancer survivors, underscoring the need for long-term support beyond physical recovery.