Sexuality and Social Well-Being after a Cancer Diagnosis: Insights from a Greek Population-Based Study

Background: Cancer and its treatments exert profound effects on patients’ social relationships, psychological health, and sexual functioning, yet these psychosocial domains remain understudied, especially in Mediterranean populations such as Greece, where cultural norms may further limit open discussion of sexuality. This cross-sectional study provides the first population-based characterization of social and sexual well-being among Greek cancer survivors in the follow-up (post-treatment) phase, integrating demographic, clinical, psychological, and sexual-function data with validated adapted instruments. Methods: Between 2021 and 2023, 109 oncological patients (62 women, 47 men) completed a structured self-administered questionnaire during routine outpatient follow-up visits in Greek oncology clinics. The instrument assessed demographics, cancer history, social functioning (adapted EORTC QLQ-C30 items), psychological distress (adapted Hamilton Anxiety and Depression Rating Scales [HAM-A/HAM-D]), global health/quality of life (7-point Likert scales), and gender-specific sexual function (Female Sexual Function Index [FSFI]-adapted items for women; International Index of Erectile Function [IIEF-5]-adapted items for men). All participants provided written informed consent; ethical approval was granted by the participating institutional review board. Data were analyzed descriptively with stratification by gender and time since diagnosis (<5 years vs. ≥5 years). Results: The study (N=109) comprised 62 women and 47 men, with a majority aged 40–60 years (54%). Breast (20%), lung (18%), and prostate (17%) cancers predominated. Mild physical limitations affected daily activities in 65%–70% of participants; moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms were reported by 65% and clinically significant anxiety by ~45%. Sexual dysfunction was prevalent: women reported infrequent desire (50%), arousal difficulties (50%), and overall dissatisfaction (50%), with pronounced differences in recent-diagnosis subgroups (arousal difficulties 55% vs 24% in long-term survivors). Men reported erectile dysfunction (30% rare/never erections; 60% maintenance difficulties) and overall sexual dissatisfaction (50%), persisting irrespective of time since diagnosis. Conclusions: Greek cancer survivors experience substantial, gender-differentiated psychosocial and sexual burdens that persist into follow-up care. Culturally tailored, multidisciplinary interventions are urgently needed.