Surgical treatment does not necessarily lead to sexual problems for colorectal cancer patients, Dutch researchers have found. In some cases, patients have sexual problems before treatment.

Because information on colorectal cancer patients' sexual function and quality of life before surgery was limited, the researchers wanted to explore these issues and use standardized assessment tools to compare the scores of patients and partners with mean norm scores.

One hundred thirty-six patients and 106 partners participated in the study. The patients had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, but had not yet had surgery.

Using several questionnaires, including the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the researchers collected data from patients and partners.

When compared to the mean norm scores (provided in the manual of each assessment tool), both male and female patients and partners scored lower on sexual function and quality of life domains. Female patients and male partners had lower scores than male patients. 

Patients' and partners' scores on relationship functioning were comparable to the mean norm scores, however.

To learn more about the study, including a possible explanation of the results and implications for clinical practice, please click here.

Webcasts of lectures held at the First Latin American Men's Health Forum are now available online. The forum, organized by the ISSM, was held in Cancun, Mexico in March 2012. The lectures cover a variety of men's sexual health topics, including erectile dysfunction, testosterone therapy, prostate cancer, BPH, premature ejaculation, and Peyronie's disease. Please click here to view the webcasts.