Integrating Sexual Health Into Prostate Cancer Care: Perspectives from Patients, Care Partners, and Healthcare
Published Date:
Perspectives from Patients, Care Partners, and Healthcare Professionals
Authored by T. Mike Hsieh, MD, and NCODA for UC San Diego Health | October 2026
Prostate cancer and its treatment can affect sexual function, intimacy, self-confidence, and relationships. Yet conversations about these concerns often focus on erectile dysfunction, leaving other needs less visible during treatment and follow-up.
This NCODA white paper brings together patient and care partner survey findings with insights from medical oncologists, urologists, and advanced practice providers. It examines how sexual health is experienced and addressed across prostate cancer care, where gaps remain, and how care teams can provide more consistent support.
What the white paper explores:
- Concerns beyond erectile dysfunction: Changes in desire, orgasm, self-image, emotional well-being, and intimacy.
- Gaps in communication and follow-up: Why concerns may go unreported or remain outside routine clinical discussions.
- The care partner experience: How treatment-related changes affect relationships and care partners’ support needs.
- Barriers within clinical practice: Limited visit time, competing priorities, clinician comfort, and unclear referral pathways.
- Practical opportunities for care teams: Earlier education, routine assessment, defined team roles, and ongoing support throughout treatment and survivorship.
The findings point toward a more consistent approach: preparing patients for potential changes, identifying concerns proactively, and establishing clear next steps when additional support is needed.
This project was sponsored by Sumitomo Pharma. NCODA and the physician author retained full editorial control over the content, interpretation of findings, and conclusions.