title: Impact of prostate cancer on sexual relationships: a longitudinal perspective on intimate partners' experiences.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In this prospective study of localized prostate cancer patients and their partners, we analyzed how partner issues evolve over time, focusing on satisfaction with care, influence of cancer treatment, and its impact on relationship with patient, cancer worry, and personal activities.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Our study aims were twofold: (i) to determine whether the impact of treatment on patients and partners moderate over time and (ii) if receiving surgery (i.e., radical prostatectomy) influences partner issues more than other treatments.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients newly diagnosed with localized prostate cancer and their female partners were recruited from three states to complete surveys by mail at three time points over 12 months.
  
  
  METHODS
  The four primary outcomes assessed in the partner analysis included satisfaction with treatment, cancer worry, and the influence of cancer and its treatment on their relationship (both general relationship and sexual relationship).
  
  
  RESULTS
  This analysis included 88 patient-partner pairs. At 6 months, partners reported that cancer had a negative impact on their sexual relationship (39%--somewhat negative and 12%--very negative). At 12 months, this proportion increased substantially (42%--somewhat negative and 29%--very negative). Partners were significantly more likely to report that their sexual relationship was worse when the patient reported having surgery (P = 0.0045, odds ratio = 9.8025, 95% confidence interval 2.076-46.296). A minority of partners reported significant negative impacts in other areas involving their personal activities (16% at 6 months and 25% at 12 months) or work life (6% at 6 months, which increased to 12% at 12 months).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  From partners' perspectives, prostate cancer therapy has negative impact on sexual relationships and appears to worsen over time.
authors.affiliation: Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Scott D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Ramsey
authors.forename: Steven B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Zeliadt
authors.forename: David K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Blough
authors.forename: Carol M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Moinpour
authors.forename: Ingrid J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: Judith Lee
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Donatus U
authors.initials: DU
authors.lastname: Ekwueme
authors.forename: Catherine R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Fedorenko
authors.forename: Megan E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Fairweather
authors.forename: Lisel M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Koepl
authors.forename: Ian M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Thomas E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Keane
authors.forename: David F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Penson
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011468:Prostatectomy; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery*; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Partner; Prostate Cancer; Sexual Function