The Impact of Cancer on the Partner’s Sexuality

Rubio‐Aurioles, Eusebio

doi:10.1007/978-1-60761-916-1_25

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…While intimacy and sexuality were not addressed specifically in the articles reviewed, our clinical experience is that these domains of the relationship are heavily compromised in the brain tumor context. In cancer generally, sexuality and intimacy suffer in conjunction with shifts in identity and in interpersonal bonds, 54 but this requires more focused research in neuro-oncology. We propose that health care providers proactively acknowledge the painful reality of shifting identity in its many manifestations, and that therapeutic interventions should promote adaptive strategies for informal caregivers of brain tumor patients to remain grounded to the extent possible in their sense of themselves.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Existential distress among caregivers of patients with brain tumors: a review of the literature

Applebaum

Kryza‐Lacombe

Buthorn

et al. 2015

Neuro-Oncology Practice

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Background Attention to existential needs is a component of comprehensive oncologic care, and understanding these needs among informal caregivers of patients with brain tumors is necessary to provide them with comprehensive psychosocial care. The purpose of this systematic review was to synthesize the literature on existential distress experienced by these informal caregivers to inform the development of psychotherapeutic interventions for this population. Methods A systematic review was conducted using electronic medical databases. Studies that examined any element of existential distress among informal caregivers of patients with brain tumors were included. A final sample of 35 articles was reviewed. Results Six existential themes emerged: identity; isolation; responsibility and guilt; death anxiety; deriving meaning and personal growth; and spirituality and religion. The unique existential experience of parenting a patient with a brain tumor also emerged. Existential distress in all areas was identified as experienced early in the cancer trajectory and as a critical, unmet need. Conclusions Existential distress is well documented among informal caregivers of patients with brain tumors and is a significant driving force of burden. Awareness and acknowledgement of this distress, as well as interventions to ameliorate this suffering, are needed. More candid communication between health care providers and caregivers about brain tumor prognosis and caregivers' existential distress may improve their psychosocial outcomes.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%