Addressing sexual concerns of female breast cancer survivors and partners: a qualitative study of survivors, partners, and oncology providers about Internet intervention preferences

Shaffer, Kelly M.; Kennedy, Erin; Glazer, Jillian V.; Clayton, Anita H.; Cohn, Wendy F.; Millard, Trish; Ritterband, Lee M.; Showalter, Shayna L.

doi:10.1007/s00520-021-06302-w

Cited by 12 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…Shaffer et al in a study of breast cancer survivors and their partners, found that patients want not only information about the sexual side effects of treatment but also relationship support. 14 Altogether, these findings highlight the need for counseling beyond fertility and menopausal symptoms and suggest that comprehensive sexual health education incorporates discussions of the physical and psychosocial ramifications of treatment.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

No One-Size-Fits-All: Sexual Health Education Preferences in Patients with Breast Cancer

et al. 2022

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Background Using explanatory mixed methods, we characterize the education that patients with breast cancer received about potential sexual health effects of treatment and explore preferences in format, content, and timing of education. Patients and Methods Adult patients with stage 0–IV breast cancer seen at an academic breast center during December 2020 were emailed questionnaires assessing sexual health symptoms experienced during treatment. Patients interested in further study involvement were invited to participate in semistructured interviews. These interviews explored sexual health education provided by the oncology team and patient preferences in content, format, and timing of education delivery. Results Eighty-seven (32%) patients completed the questionnaire. Most patients reported decreased sexual desire (69%), vaginal dryness (63%), and less energy for sexual activity (62%) during/after treatment. Sixteen patients participated in interviews. Few women reported receiving information about potential sexual effects of breast cancer treatment; patients who did reported a focus on menopausal symptoms or fertility rather than sexual function. Regarding preferences in format, patients were in favor of multiple options being offered rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, with particular emphasis on in-person options and support groups. Patients desired education early and often throughout breast cancer treatment, not only about sexual side effects but also on mitigation strategies, sexual function, dating and partner intimacy, and body image changes. Conclusion Few patients received information about the sexual health effects of breast cancer treatment, though many experienced symptoms. Potential adverse effects should be discussed early and addressed often throughout treatment, with attention to strategies to prevent and alleviate symptoms and improve overall sexual health.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

No One-Size-Fits-All: Sexual Health Education Preferences in Patients with Breast Cancer

et al. 2022

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“…A total of 2849 citations were identified from the seven databases, the grey literature and reference lists; of these, 724 were duplicates, leaving 2125 potentially eligible citations; 58 underwent full‐text screening (Figure 1). Nineteen citations (Canzona et al., 2016; Chanmekun et al., 2022; Dikmans et al., 2018; Krouwel, Hagen, et al., 2015; Krouwel, Nicolai, et al., 2015; Lavin & Hyde, 2006; Masjoudi et al., 2019; Ng et al., 2015; Ray et al., 1984; Reese et al., 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022; Shaffer et al., 2021, 2022; Smith et al., 2011; Takahashi et al., 2006; Vieira et al., 2013; Wang et al., 2015) were eligible for systematic review; of which seven (Dikmans et al., 2018; Hu et al., 2020; Krouwel, Hagen, et al., 2015; Krouwel, Nicolai, et al., 2015; Ng et al., 2015; Smith et al., 2011; Takahashi et al., 2006) were quantitative studies, eight (Canzona et al., 2016; Chanmekun et al., 2022; Lavin & Hyde, 2006; Masjoudi et al., 2019; Reese et al., 2017; Shaffer et al., 2021, 2022; Wang et al., 2015) were qualitative studies, and four (Ray et al., 1984; Reese et al., 2019, 2021, 2022) were mixed‐method studies.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Healthcare providers' experiences in providing sexual health care to breast cancer survivors: A mixed‐methods systematic review

Pimsen,

Lin,

Lin

et al. 2023

Journal of Clinical Nursing

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AimsTo analyse healthcare providers' (HCPs) experiences in sexual health care through the mixed‐methods systematic review (MMSR).BackgroundSexual health for breast cancer survivors (BCSs) is becoming increasingly important as survivors live longer. HCPs are critical in providing sexual health care.DesignA mixed‐methods systematic review.MethodsLiterature searches were conducted in databases MEDLINE, CINAHL, Psychology & Behavioral Sciences Collection, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov and reference lists were searched from inception to 30 December 2022. Two independent reviewers extracted and analysed the data using the JBI guidelines for MMSR.ResultsAfter screening for 2849 citations, 19 studies were eligible for MMSR, involving 2068 HCPs. Most HCPs believe that sexual health care is their responsibility. However, sexual health was not adequately addressed. A lack of knowledge was the most significant barrier to providing sexual health care. Moreover, HCPs would like to acquire more knowledge and felt that current sexual healthcare training was inadequate.ConclusionsFindings suggest that HCPs did not frequently address sexual health in BCSs and that lack of knowledge was the most common barrier. Healthcare session administrators should allocate resources for sexual healthcare training that offer multiple formats, accessible content and convenience. They should also be multifaceted and proactive, meet the diverse needs of BCS at different stages and focus on effective communication.Relevance to clinical practiceThis study highlights the importance of addressing sexual health in BCSs and the need for HCPs to receive training in this area. Training should be multifaceted, proactive and meet the diverse needs of BCSs at different stages, with a focus on effective communication. By addressing this issue, HCPs will be better equipped to support the sexual health needs of BCSs, ultimately improving their overall well‐being and quality of life.PROSPERO Registration Number: CRD42022327018 (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=327018).

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“…This inadequacy may be partly due to their inexperience, lack of training, financial constraints and previous encounter with care‐related problems. Shaffer et al (2021) validate this by reporting that partners felt they could not do enough for the patients and thus continuously questioned their capacity to provide care. Again, the lack of proper information and support from healthcare professionals may have contributed to this feeling of inadequacy.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychosocial experiences of caring by family caregivers of patients living with prostate cancer in a teaching hospital: A descriptive phenomenological study

Ninonni

Owoo

2023

Nursing Open

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Aim This study explored the psychosocial experience of caregiving on the family caregiver of patients with prostate cancer in the Cape Coast metropolis of Ghana. Design A descriptive phenomenological study was conducted through in‐depth face‐to‐face semi‐structured interviews. Twelve family caregivers of prostate cancer patients were selected through purposive sampling. Interviews were conducted until data saturation. All interviews were taped, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. Results The family caregiver's psychosocial experience associated with caregiving uncovered two significant themes with 13 sub‐themes. ‘Psychological impact’ emerged as the first central theme, with anxiety, care as an obligation and feelings of inadequacy, hopelessness, uncertainty, denial and concealment as the sub‐themes. The second central theme was ‘Social impact’ with sexual concerns, role adjustment, loss of livelihood, turmoil and reduced leisure activities emerging as sub‐themes. Conclusion The findings demonstrated that caring significantly impacts the psychological and social well‐being of the caregivers of prostate cancer patients. Therefore, there is a need for holistic assessment to include the psychosocial well‐being of family caregivers to improve quality of life. Therefore, psychiatric nurses support family caregivers through education and psychosocial interventions to improve their quality of life and enable them to care for their loved ones more effectively.

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Addressing sexual concerns of female breast cancer survivors and partners: a qualitative study of survivors, partners, and oncology providers about Internet intervention preferences

Cited by 12 publications

References 40 publications

No One-Size-Fits-All: Sexual Health Education Preferences in Patients with Breast Cancer

No One-Size-Fits-All: Sexual Health Education Preferences in Patients with Breast Cancer

Healthcare providers' experiences in providing sexual health care to breast cancer survivors: A mixed‐methods systematic review

Psychosocial experiences of caring by family caregivers of patients living with prostate cancer in a teaching hospital: A descriptive phenomenological study

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