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Background Sexuality is an important aspect of quality of life for adolescent and young adults that remains understudied in cancer patients. Most current knowledge about how cancer and cancer treatments can affect patients’ sexuality pertains to reproductive cancer patients (breast, gynecological, male reproductive organs), whereas only little is known about how the disease affects the sex lives of patients with other types of cancer. This study examined sexual satisfaction and sexual supportive care needs among adolescent and young adult cancer patients, with a particular focus on how the type of cancer a person has is associated with these issues differently. Methods Five hundred seventy-seven ( n = 424 females, 73.5%) patients between 18 and 39 years of age at diagnosis and representing all major tumor entities completed the standardized questionnaire. The analysis addressed the following topics: sexual satisfaction (Life Satisfaction Questionnaire), sexual supportive care needs (Supportive Care Needs Survey), and changes in sexuality (Questions on Life Satisfaction Modules). These topics were tested by mean differences between reproductive and non-reproductive cancer, equivalence testing and regression analyses. Results About one third of the patients reported being dissatisfied with their sexuality and having supportive care needs in this area. Changes in sexuality were significantly more common in women with reproductive cancers than in those who had other types of cancer ( t = − 2.693, p = .007), while both groups had equivalence in scores for sexual satisfaction and sexual supportive care needs. Reproductive cancers are not more associated with deterioration of sexual satisfaction ( R 2 = .002, p = .243), changes in sexuality ( R 2 = .006, p = .070) or increased sexual supportive care needs than non-reproductive cancers ( R 2 = .004, p = .131). Conclusions The results indicate that about a third of adolescents and young adults with both reproductive but also with non-reproductive cancer experience sexual dissatisfaction in similar measure. An equal percentage of these patients also express a desire to receive supportive care in this area. Consequently, health care professionals should address issues of sexuality and cancer as a matter of routine when caring for young adults even when patients have a non-reproductive cancer. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12885-019-6009-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Purpose Although young adults represent a significant portion of the working population, little is known about the work ability and cognitive impairments in adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients (including the long-term course) following cancer treatment. Methods As part of the AYA-Leipzig study, we surveyed AYA cancer survivors (aged 18–39 years at diagnosis; time since diagnosis ≤ 4 years, including all cancer diagnoses) at two time points (t2 = 12 months after t1). Work ability (Work Ability Index, WAI-r) and cognitive impairments (Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire, COPSOQ) were compared at both time points. We analysed predictors for work ability at, on average, 2 years post cancer diagnosis (t2) by using multivariate regression analyses. Results A total of 502 patients (74.7% women) participated in both measurements. Mean work ability increased significantly from t1 (6.0; SD = 2.3) to t2 (6.8; SD = 2.2) (t = −9.3; p < 0.001). As many as 380 (76%) AYA cancer survivors reported reduced work ability at t1; 1 year later, this still applied to 287 (57%) of them. Decreased work ability (t2) was associated with more cognitive impairment, higher effort coping with the disease, comorbidities, sick leave > 6 months (since diagnosis), and having children (adj R2 = .48). Cognitive impairments occurred in approximately every fifth patient at both surveys. Conclusions Achieving maximum work ability is a major challenge for AYAs. Our results show the need for multimodal cancer survivorship and rehabilitation programmes with a special focus on improving cognitive and psychosocial functioning. Implications for Cancer Survivors AYAs with cancer should receive targeted occupational counselling early in the course of the disease.

STPP is an effective treatment of a broad range of depressive conditions in breast cancer patients improving depression and functional QoL. Findings are limited by the drop-out rate (∼1/3) and delayed post-treatment assessments. Future trials may consider stepped-care approaches, tailored to patients' needs and requirements in the acute treatment phase.

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