The longitudinal effects of cancer treatment on sexuality in individuals with lung cancer.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To examine changes in sexual functioning during treatment for lung cancer and the extent to which age, gender, social support, and mood status affect sexual dysfunction. DESIGN Prospective, exploratory. SETTING Outpatient cancer clinic. SAMPLE 59 of 84 eligible patients diagnosed with small cell or non-small cell lung cancer. METHODS The Derogatis Interview for Sexual Function, Self-Report, to measure sexual functioning; the Social Provisions Scale to measure social support; and the Derogatis Affects Balance Scale to measure mood status were administered at diagnosis and at two and four months during treatment. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES Level of sexual function, treatment, age, gender, social support, and mood status. FINDINGS Results indicate a decrease in sexual function but no significant change in sexual function between the two treatment groups. Age was a significant factor affecting sexual function. Gender significantly affected sexual function at time 2 only. Between times 1 and 2, mood status had a significant relationship with sexual function. Social support did not affect sexual function directly; social support was found to significantly affect mood status. CONCLUSIONS Most patients reported below-normal sexual function at baseline. Sexual function worsened over time. Further research is warranted to examine time, place, and type of intervention needed. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING New data encourage assessment, intervention, and research related to the sexual function of patients with lung cancer.