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Published VersionCC BY V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Sexual quality of life in young gynaecological cancer survivors: a qualitative study
Quality of Life Research, Vol.32(7), pp.2107-2115
2023
PMID: 36947327
Appears in UniSC Supported Open Access Outputs
Abstract
Purpose: The impact of cancer diagnosis and treatment on sexual quality of life (SQoL) is a significant and often neglected issue in the treatment and survivorship period of young gynaecological cancer survivors (YGCS). This study sought to explore women's lived experiences to understand how to protect and improve SQoL. Methods: A qualitative study with women aged 18 to 45 and pre or perimenopausal at diagnosis (n = 15). A thematic analysis was performed in NVivo. Participants also completed a pre interview questionnaire and The Female Sexual Distress Scale Revised (FSDSR). Results: YGCS experienced high psychosexual distress. Notably, seven themes were identified: adjustment, confidence, fear, loss, shame, trauma, and communication. Gynaecological cancer (GC) treatment interfered with everyday life and had a long term impact on mental, physical, and emotional health, with many reporting an altered sense of self, body image and sexual identity. Single women felt vulnerable in new relationships, while partnered women reported low sexual desire and guilt about sexual difficulties. Open communication, emotional intimacy, and an acceptance of the 'new normal' buffered the trauma of cancer and were vital to relationship satisfaction. Lastly, absent, or blunt patient clinician communication contributed to psychosexual distress. Conclusion: GC interferes with sexual function, partner relationships, psychosexual wellbeing, and quality of life. A better understanding of the lived experiences of YGCS can help healthcare providers to adopt a holistic, patient centric, and multidisciplinary approach to SQoL. YGCS want psychosexual communication and support, across all stages of treatment and care. Healthcare providers should initiate and normalise conversations on the impact of treatment on SQoL.
Details
- Title
- Sexual quality of life in young gynaecological cancer survivors: a qualitative study
- Authors
- Melanie Roussin (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - LegacyJohn Lowe (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - LegacyAnita Hamilton (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Occupational TherapyLisa Martin (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health
- Publication details
- Quality of Life Research, Vol.32(7), pp.2107-2115
- Publisher
- Springer Dordrecht
- Date published
- 2023
- DOI
- 10.1007/s11136-023-03386-1
- ISSN
- 1573-2649; 0962-9343
- PMID
- 36947327
- Copyright note
- This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article's Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article's Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy; School of Health - Occupational Therapy; Engage Research Lab; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99714698602621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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