Faculty Collaboration Database

Patient experiences with communication about sex during and after treatment for cancer. Psychooncology 2012 Jun;21(6):594-601

Date

03/12/2011

Pubmed ID

21394821

Pubmed Central ID

PMC3149787

DOI

10.1002/pon.1947

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-84861823487 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   233 Citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: We studied patients' experiences with oncology providers regarding communication about sexual issues during and after treatment for cancer.

METHODS: During development of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS(®)) Sexual Function measure, we collected focus group and survey data on communication with oncology professionals about sexual problems. We conducted 16 focus groups with patients and survivors (n = 109) and analyzed the discussions for major themes, including experiences discussing sex during oncology visits. During testing of the PROMIS Sexual Function measure, we assessed experiences discussing sexual problems with oncology professionals (n = 819) and measured bivariate associations between asking for information from clinicians and sexual function and satisfaction with sex life.

RESULTS: Most patients and survivors (74%) thought that discussions with oncology professionals about sexual problems were important, but whether they had ever received information about sexual function from a provider varied by cancer type (23% lung, 29% breast, 39% colorectal, and 79% prostate). Those who had asked an oncology professional about sexual problems had significantly greater interest in sexual activity as well as more sexual dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS: Sexual problems are a widespread concern among patients and survivors, but there is much variation in experiences of communication about sexual issues, and many patients do not receive the information they need from their oncology providers. There are large differences in sexual function between patients who do and do not ask providers about sexual problems. Sexual health has yet to be fully integrated into oncology care, even for cancers involving sex organs.

Author List

Flynn KE, Reese JB, Jeffery DD, Abernethy AP, Lin L, Shelby RA, Porter LS, Dombeck CB, Weinfurt KP

Author

Kathryn Eve Flynn PhD Vice Chair, Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Coitus
Communication
Female
Focus Groups
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Neoplasms
North Carolina
Patient Satisfaction
Physician-Patient Relations
Qualitative Research
Quality of Life
Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological
Surveys and Questionnaires
Survivors