Oncology Nurses’ Attitudes, Knowledge, and Practices in Providing Sexuality Care to Cancer Patients: A Scoping Review

Sexual health in cancer care is often overlooked. This study examines oncology nurses’ knowledge and practices regarding sexuality care, identifying barriers and facilitators. A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)-guided search of Scopus, ScienceDirect, PubMed...

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Main Authors: Omar Alqaisi, Maha Subih, Kurian Joseph, Edward Yu, Patricia Tai
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Current Oncology
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1718-7729/32/6/337
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author Omar Alqaisi
Maha Subih
Kurian Joseph
Edward Yu
Patricia Tai
author_facet Omar Alqaisi
Maha Subih
Kurian Joseph
Edward Yu
Patricia Tai
author_sort Omar Alqaisi
collection DOAJ
description Sexual health in cancer care is often overlooked. This study examines oncology nurses’ knowledge and practices regarding sexuality care, identifying barriers and facilitators. A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)-guided search of Scopus, ScienceDirect, PubMed, and EBSCO focused on studies from 2014 to 2024. Of 1735 identified studies, only 11 met inclusion criteria. Findings revealed a lack of knowledge among nurses and dissatisfaction with sexual healthcare. Barriers include time constraints, cultural factors, and personal reservations. Routine discussions are often absent due to inadequate training. Education- and system-based strategies are needed to enhance nurses’ competence in addressing sexual concerns. Implementing training programs, structured records, evaluation tools, concept maps, and system support would improve patient care and oncology nursing practices. Addressing these gaps with practical measures can enhance communication, patient satisfaction, and quality of life. This unique analysis was conducted by two experienced advanced nurses in the Middle East, where discussions about sex are often regarded as taboo.
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publishDate 2025-06-01
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series Current Oncology
spelling doaj-art-a04fbde7ed0b40f2b272a8a069c4e2202025-08-20T03:24:32ZengMDPI AGCurrent Oncology1198-00521718-77292025-06-0132633710.3390/curroncol32060337Oncology Nurses’ Attitudes, Knowledge, and Practices in Providing Sexuality Care to Cancer Patients: A Scoping ReviewOmar Alqaisi0Maha Subih1Kurian Joseph2Edward Yu3Patricia Tai4Faculty of Nursing, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman 11733, JordanFaculty of Nursing, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman 11733, JordanCross Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, CanadaDepartment of Oncology, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, CanadaDepartment of Oncology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A2, CanadaSexual health in cancer care is often overlooked. This study examines oncology nurses’ knowledge and practices regarding sexuality care, identifying barriers and facilitators. A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)-guided search of Scopus, ScienceDirect, PubMed, and EBSCO focused on studies from 2014 to 2024. Of 1735 identified studies, only 11 met inclusion criteria. Findings revealed a lack of knowledge among nurses and dissatisfaction with sexual healthcare. Barriers include time constraints, cultural factors, and personal reservations. Routine discussions are often absent due to inadequate training. Education- and system-based strategies are needed to enhance nurses’ competence in addressing sexual concerns. Implementing training programs, structured records, evaluation tools, concept maps, and system support would improve patient care and oncology nursing practices. Addressing these gaps with practical measures can enhance communication, patient satisfaction, and quality of life. This unique analysis was conducted by two experienced advanced nurses in the Middle East, where discussions about sex are often regarded as taboo.https://www.mdpi.com/1718-7729/32/6/337nursingattitudesknowledgepracticescancer patientssexual care
spellingShingle Omar Alqaisi
Maha Subih
Kurian Joseph
Edward Yu
Patricia Tai
Oncology Nurses’ Attitudes, Knowledge, and Practices in Providing Sexuality Care to Cancer Patients: A Scoping Review
Current Oncology
nursing
attitudes
knowledge
practices
cancer patients
sexual care
title Oncology Nurses’ Attitudes, Knowledge, and Practices in Providing Sexuality Care to Cancer Patients: A Scoping Review
title_full Oncology Nurses’ Attitudes, Knowledge, and Practices in Providing Sexuality Care to Cancer Patients: A Scoping Review
title_fullStr Oncology Nurses’ Attitudes, Knowledge, and Practices in Providing Sexuality Care to Cancer Patients: A Scoping Review
title_full_unstemmed Oncology Nurses’ Attitudes, Knowledge, and Practices in Providing Sexuality Care to Cancer Patients: A Scoping Review
title_short Oncology Nurses’ Attitudes, Knowledge, and Practices in Providing Sexuality Care to Cancer Patients: A Scoping Review
title_sort oncology nurses attitudes knowledge and practices in providing sexuality care to cancer patients a scoping review
topic nursing
attitudes
knowledge
practices
cancer patients
sexual care
url https://www.mdpi.com/1718-7729/32/6/337
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