Qualitative Exploration of Sexual Health Among Diverse Breast Cancer Survivors

Tat, Susana; Doan, Therese; Yoo, Grace J.; Levine, Ellen G.

doi:10.1007/s13187-016-1090-6

Cited by 21 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Patient-centered care is an essential component of quality care that seeks to improve responsiveness to patients’ needs, values, and predilections and to enhance psychosocial outcomes, such as anxiety, depression, unmet support needs, and quality of life [ 29 ]. Qualitative studies are becoming more and more germane to grasp specific aspects of breast cancer, such as communication [ 27 , 30 ], body image and sexuality [ 31 , 32 ], motherhood [ 33 ], social support [ 34 ], survivors’ reintegration into daily life [ 13 , 15 ], or care for women with incurable, progressive cancer [ 17 ]. Nevertheless, few published studies address the experience of women with breast cancer from diagnosis to follow-up.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Breast cancer patient experiences through a journey map: A qualitative study

et al. 2021

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Background Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent diseases in women. Prevention and treatments have lowered mortality; nevertheless, the impact of the diagnosis and treatment continue to impact all aspects of patients’ lives (physical, emotional, cognitive, social, and spiritual). Objective This study seeks to explore the experiences of the different stages women with breast cancer go through by means of a patient journey. Methods This is a qualitative study in which 21 women with breast cancer or survivors were interviewed. Participants were recruited at 9 large hospitals in Spain and intentional sampling methods were applied. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview that was elaborated with the help of medical oncologists, nurses, and psycho-oncologists. Data were processed by adopting a thematic analysis approach. Results The diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer entails a radical change in patients’ day-to-day that linger in the mid-term. Seven stages have been defined that correspond to the different medical processes: diagnosis/unmasking stage, surgery/cleaning out, chemotherapy/loss of identity, radiotherapy/transition to normality, follow-up care/the “new” day-to-day, relapse/starting over, and metastatic/time-limited chronic breast cancer. The most relevant aspects of each are highlighted, as are the various cross-sectional aspects that manifest throughout the entire patient journey. Conclusions Comprehending patients’ experiences in depth facilitates the detection of situations of risk and helps to identify key moments when more precise information should be offered. Similarly, preparing the women for the process they must confront and for the sequelae of medical treatments would contribute to decreasing their uncertainty and concern, and to improving their quality-of-life.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Breast cancer patient experiences through a journey map: A qualitative study

et al. 2021

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“…Second, as breast cancer is a life‐threatening condition, patients may prioritise expressing concerns about prognosis and efficacy of treatment, and beliefs related to prognosis and treatment, such as that having sex will increase the risk of breast cancer recurrence and metastasis or negatively impact treatment outcomes, which may further discourage expressing these concerns (Reese et al, 2017; Wang et al, 2013). Third, psychological challenges related to breast cancer diagnosis and treatment may also limit patients’ ability to express questions about their sexual needs (Kowalczyk et al, 2019; Tat et al, 2018; Yao et al, 2012). Forth, some breast cancer patients may not be willing to consult with physicians as they believe that their issues cannot be resolved, which contributes to their psychological stressors (Canzona et al, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of space in obstructing clinical sexual health education: A qualitative study on breast cancer patients’ perspectives on barriers to expressing sexual concerns

et al. 2021

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Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among Chinese women, accounting for 16.5% of new cancer diagnoses overall. In China, 37% of breast cancer patients are diagnosed at 50 years or younger, which is a higher proportion than that of other settings such as the United States, at 19% (DeSantis et al., 2017;Zuo et al., 2017). These increasingly young ages at diagnosis have also accompanied growing breast cancer incidence, high survival rates and longer survival times (Zeng et al., 2018). As a result, the sexual health of survivors after treatment has emerged as an unmet need; and 73.4% of women felt that chemotherapy and hormonal therapy caused sexual dysfunction (Jing et al., 2019).Previous studies have confirmed that high-quality sexual health education can assist breast cancer patients to effectively relieve sexual dysfunction, increase self-confidence and increase sexual satisfaction, as well as promote marital intimacy (Jalambadani et al., 2018;Taylor et al., 2011). In European countries and the United

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“…50 Negative experiences included bothersome sexual symptoms such as vaginal dryness or pain with intercourse, decreased sexual quality of life, impacts on body image, and altered sense of womanhood. 43,49,50 Women in the included studies often described a diminished desire for sexual activity after cancer treatment. 36,44 Women also described the impact of treatment, including decreased self-worth and loss of attractiveness, and feeling inadequate, sad, embarrassed, and frustrated.…”

Section: Impacts Of Treatment On Sexual Health and Body Imagementioning

confidence: 99%

Sexual health and intimacy after cancer treatment in women of color: A systematic review

et al. 2022

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Objective: Cancer diagnosis and treatment can significantly affect women's sexual health and intimacy, leading to diminished quality of life in survivorship. The perspectives and experiences of women of color (WOC) with cancer are critical to inform comprehensive, inclusive sexual wellbeing care in survivorship. The purpose of this systematic review is to summarize contemporary literature describing sexual wellbeing experiences of WOC treated for cancer. Methods: A comprehensive search of CINAHL, PubMed, Embase and PsycInfo and Scopus identified studies that addressed sex and intimacy of U.S. WOC treated for cancer published in the last 15 years. The authors identified emergent themes from the literature through thematic content analysis.Results: Eighteen studies (10 qualitative, 8 quantitative) met the inclusion criteria, all with breast or gynecologic cancer samples. Studies include African American (13), Asian American (3), and Latina (10) women, as well as Non-Hispanic Whites and 'other' race/ethnicity women. Overarching themes identified were: 1) impacts of treatment on sexual health and body image, 2) process of accepting and overcoming, 3) value of an engaged and supportive partner, and 4) current clinical practice and barriers to sexual health care. Conclusions: WOC experience changes in sex and intimacy after cancer treatment, and experiences of sexual function, sexual communication, and sexual healthcare are often shaped by sociocultural experiences. An understanding of WOC's sexual health and intimacy after cancer treatment can inform inclusive, culturally responsive sexual health interventions.

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Qualitative Exploration of Sexual Health Among Diverse Breast Cancer Survivors

Cited by 21 publications

References 14 publications

Breast cancer patient experiences through a journey map: A qualitative study

Breast cancer patient experiences through a journey map: A qualitative study

The role of space in obstructing clinical sexual health education: A qualitative study on breast cancer patients’ perspectives on barriers to expressing sexual concerns

Sexual health and intimacy after cancer treatment in women of color: A systematic review

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