Men suffering from bowel cancer are prone to erectile dysfunction (ED) following treatment, yet most do not receive enough information about the condition, according to a new study*. The paper, which is co-authored by a University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB) consultant, is published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) today (18 October).

Bowel cancer affects more than 38,000 people annually in the UK. Around half of patients survive for five years or more after treatment and the study, published on the BMJ website, says this figure is likely to rise.

Men are more likely to develop bowel cancer and many will suffer from ED after treatment, report the authors.

The report was co-written by Mr Tariq Ismail, UHB Consultant Colorectal Surgeon and Honorary Senior Lecturer in Surgery at the University of Birmingham, and Professor Sue Wilson, of the Cancer and Chronic Disease Team in the University's Department of Primary Care and Clinical Sciences.

The researchers conducted in-depth interviews with 28 patients in the West Midlands who had undergone treatment for bowel cancer. Most respondents experienced ED as a result of the treatment, yet many felt uninformed and unprepared. Almost none was receiving adequate care for the condition.

The study authors conclude that the wide diversity of this patient group calls for greater coordination of care and consistent strategies to tackle unmet needs.

Mr Ismail said: ‘Sexual problems after surgery for bowel cancer are common, inadequately discussed and untreated. Sexual dysfunction should be discussed with patients and efforts to prevent and treat it should be increased.’

* Paper entitled "Men’s experiences of erectile dysfunction after treatment for colorectal cancer: qualitative interview study"