Paper

Patient experiences with communication about sex during and after treatment for cancer

  1. Kathryn E. Flynn1,2,
  2. Jennifer Barsky Reese3,
  3. Diana D. Jeffery4,
  4. Amy P. Abernethy5,6,
  5. Li Lin1,
  6. Rebecca A. Shelby2,
  7. Laura S. Porter2,
  8. Carrie B. Dombeck1,
  9. Kevin P. Weinfurt1,2

Article first published online: 10 MAR 2011

DOI: 10.1002/pon.1947

Issue

Psycho‐Oncology

Psycho-Oncology

Volume 21, Issue 6, pages 594–601, June 2012

Additional Information

How to Cite

Flynn, K. E., Reese, J. B., Jeffery, D. D., Abernethy, A. P., Lin, L., Shelby, R. A., Porter, L. S., Dombeck, C. B. and Weinfurt, K. P. (2012), Patient experiences with communication about sex during and after treatment for cancer. Psycho-Oncology, 21: 594–601. doi: 10.1002/pon.1947

Author Information

  1. 1

    Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA

  2. 2

    Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA

  3. 3

    Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA

  4. 4

    Center for Health Care Management Studies, Health Program Analysis and Evaluation Division, TRICARE Management Activity, US Department of Defense, Bethesda, MD, USA

  5. 5

    Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA

  6. 6

    Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA

*Duke Clinical Research Institute, PO Box 17969, Durham, NC 27715, USA. E-mail: kathryn.flynn@duke.edu

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 3 JUN 2012
  2. Article first published online: 10 MAR 2011
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 29 JAN 2011
  4. Manuscript Received: 19 JAN 2011

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Keywords:

  • attitude to health;
  • communication;
  • focus groups;
  • health services needs and demand;
  • neoplasms;
  • physician–patient relations;
  • questionnaires;
  • sexuality

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.

Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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