Kelly M Shaffer1,2,3, Erin Kennedy4,5, Jillian V Glazer6, Anita H Clayton7, Wendy Cohn4,5, Trish A Millard4,8, Lee M Ritterband4,6,7, Shayna Showalter4,9. 1. UVA Cancer Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA. kshaffer@virginia.edu. 2. Center for Behavioral Health and Technology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, PO Box 801075, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA. kshaffer@virginia.edu. 3. Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA. kshaffer@virginia.edu. 4. UVA Cancer Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA. 5. Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA. 6. Center for Behavioral Health and Technology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, PO Box 801075, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA. 7. Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA. 8. Medicine - Hematology/Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA. 9. Surgery - Surgical Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Sexual side effects after breast cancer treatment are common and distressing to both survivors and their intimate partners, yet few receive interventions to address cancer-related sexual concerns. To direct intervention development, this qualitative study assessed the perceptions of female breast cancer survivors, intimate partners of breast cancer survivors, and breast cancer oncology providers about how an Internet intervention for couples may address breast cancer-related sexual concerns. METHODS: Survivors (N = 20) responded to online open-ended surveys. Partners (N = 12) and providers (N = 8) completed individual semi-structured interviews. Data were inductively coded using thematic content analysis. RESULTS: Three primary intervention content areas were identified by the key stakeholder groups: (1) information about and strategies to manage physical and psychological effects of cancer treatment on sexual health, (2) relationship and communication support, and (3) addressing bodily changes and self-image after treatment. Survivors and partners tended to express interest in some individualized intervention private from their partner, although they also emphasized the importance of opening communication about sexual concerns within the couple. Survivors and partners expressed interest in an intervention that addresses changing needs across the cancer trajectory, available from the time of diagnosis and through survivorship. CONCLUSION: Internet intervention for couples to address cancer-related sexual concerns, particularly one that provides basic education about treatment side effects and that evolves with couples' changing needs across the cancer trajectory, was perceived as a valuable addition to breast cancer care by survivors, partners, and providers.
PURPOSE: Sexual side effects after breast cancer treatment are common and distressing to both survivors and their intimate partners, yet few receive interventions to address cancer-related sexual concerns. To direct intervention development, this qualitative study assessed the perceptions of female breast cancer survivors, intimate partners of breast cancer survivors, and breast cancer oncology providers about how an Internet intervention for couples may address breast cancer-related sexual concerns. METHODS: Survivors (N = 20) responded to online open-ended surveys. Partners (N = 12) and providers (N = 8) completed individual semi-structured interviews. Data were inductively coded using thematic content analysis. RESULTS: Three primary intervention content areas were identified by the key stakeholder groups: (1) information about and strategies to manage physical and psychological effects of cancer treatment on sexual health, (2) relationship and communication support, and (3) addressing bodily changes and self-image after treatment. Survivors and partners tended to express interest in some individualized intervention private from their partner, although they also emphasized the importance of opening communication about sexual concerns within the couple. Survivors and partners expressed interest in an intervention that addresses changing needs across the cancer trajectory, available from the time of diagnosis and through survivorship. CONCLUSION: Internet intervention for couples to address cancer-related sexual concerns, particularly one that provides basic education about treatment side effects and that evolves with couples' changing needs across the cancer trajectory, was perceived as a valuable addition to breast cancer care by survivors, partners, and providers.
Authors: Marisa Leon-Carlyle; Selina Schmocker; J Charles Victor; Barbara-Anne Maier; Brenda I O'Connor; Nancy N Baxter; Robin S McLeod; Erin D Kennedy Journal: Dis Colon Rectum Date: 2015-08 Impact factor: 4.585
Authors: Kevin P Weinfurt; Li Lin; Deborah Watkins Bruner; Jill M Cyranowski; Carrie B Dombeck; Elizabeth A Hahn; Diana D Jeffery; Richard M Luecht; Susan Magasi; Laura S Porter; Jennifer Barsky Reese; Bryce B Reeve; Rebecca A Shelby; Ashley Wilder Smith; John T Willse; Kathryn E Flynn Journal: J Sex Med Date: 2015-09-07 Impact factor: 3.802
Authors: Kelly M Shaffer; Erin Kennedy; Jillian V Glazer; Anita H Clayton; Wendy Cohn; Jennifer Barsky Reese; Trish A Millard; Karen S Ingersoll; Lee M Ritterband; Shayna Showalter Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2022-02-17 Impact factor: 3.359
Authors: Kelly M Shaffer; Lee M Ritterband; Wen You; Daniel J Buysse; Meghan K Mattos; Fabian Camacho; Jillian V Glazer; Julie Klinger; Heidi Donovan Journal: JMIR Res Protoc Date: 2022-01-12
Authors: Victoria Huynh; Sudheer Vemuru; Karen Hampanda; Jessica Pettigrew; Marcella Fasano; Helen L Coons; Kristin E Rojas; Anosheh Afghahi; Gretchen Ahrendt; Simon Kim; Dan D Matlock; Sarah E Tevis Journal: Ann Surg Oncol Date: 2022-08-01 Impact factor: 4.339