Sue Brand1, Hilary Williams2, Jeremy Braybrooke3. 1. University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol BS28ED, UK. Electronic address: sue.brand@nhs.net. 2. Velindre Cancer Centre, Velindre Road, Cardiff, South Glamorgan CF14 2TL, UK. Electronic address: hilarywilliams@doctors.net. 3. University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol BS28ED, UK. Electronic address: jeremy.braybrooke@uhbristol.nhs.uk.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in young men, it is frequently diagnosed at key times in relationship formation. In early stage disease the vast majority of tumours will be cured by surgery alone with patients being offered active surveillance rather than adjuvant therapies. To date, research has not evaluated how surveillance alone impacts on sexual function. METHODS: The aim of this quantitative longitudinal study was to ascertain the sexual function of men with stage one disease at 3 and 12 months post diagnosis and to compare with normative data. Additional data was collected on the information men sought regarding sexual function and media they used to access this. RESULTS: This study shows that men's sexual function is altered at diagnosis and improves by 3 months. At 12 months, whilst not statistically significant, sexual function improves but not to the same level as normative data comparison. Men appear to find verbal information useful at 3 months, however men appear to be seeking written and online information at 12 months. CONCLUSION: The intricacies of sexual function together with the low number of participants may have been best met with a qualitative approach. However, the information data indicates the importance of further research into the effects of early stage testicular cancer on sexual function. Therefore, further qualitative research is recommended to explore the effects of early stage testicular cancer in relation to sexual function.
PURPOSE:Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in young men, it is frequently diagnosed at key times in relationship formation. In early stage disease the vast majority of tumours will be cured by surgery alone with patients being offered active surveillance rather than adjuvant therapies. To date, research has not evaluated how surveillance alone impacts on sexual function. METHODS: The aim of this quantitative longitudinal study was to ascertain the sexual function of men with stage one disease at 3 and 12 months post diagnosis and to compare with normative data. Additional data was collected on the information men sought regarding sexual function and media they used to access this. RESULTS: This study shows that men's sexual function is altered at diagnosis and improves by 3 months. At 12 months, whilst not statistically significant, sexual function improves but not to the same level as normative data comparison. Men appear to find verbal information useful at 3 months, however men appear to be seeking written and online information at 12 months. CONCLUSION: The intricacies of sexual function together with the low number of participants may have been best met with a qualitative approach. However, the information data indicates the importance of further research into the effects of early stage testicular cancer on sexual function. Therefore, further qualitative research is recommended to explore the effects of early stage testicular cancer in relation to sexual function.
Authors: Lynn Batehup; Heather Gage; Peter Williams; Alison Richardson; Katerina Porter; Peter Simmonds; Elizabeth Lowson; Lynne Dodson; Nicola Davies; Richard Wagland; Jane Winter; Andrew Turner; Jessica Corner Journal: Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) Date: 2021-08-22 Impact factor: 2.328
Authors: Lauren Matheson; Mary Boulton; Verna Lavender; Andrew Protheroe; Sue Brand; Marta Wanat; Eila Watson Journal: J Cancer Surviv Date: 2015-07-10 Impact factor: 4.442