ArticleSupportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer2015
Baseline characteristics and concerns of female cancer patients/survivors seeking treatment at a Female Sexual Medicine Program.
Article in Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 2015. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 14 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
14 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 27 citations in OpenAlex.
- Sexual dysfunction in women with cancer: a systematic review with meta-analysis of studies using the Female Sexual Function Index.Endocrine · 2016Pooled it
- American Cancer Society Colorectal Cancer Survivorship Care Guidelines.CA: a cancer journal for cliniciansGuideline
- A pilot randomized trial to prevent sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal breast cancer survivors starting adjuvant aromatase inhibitor therapy.Journal of cancer survivorship : research and practice · 2017Trial
- Patient reported improvement in sexual health outcomes following care in a sexual health clinic for women with cancer.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2023Article
- Profiles of women's adjustment after cancer based on sexual and psychosocial wellbeing: results of a cluster analysis.BMC cancer · 2022Article
- Evaluation of sexual dysfunction in gynecologic cancer survivors using DSM-5 diagnostic criteria.BMC women's health · 2022Article
- Prevalence of sexual dysfunction in women with cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.International journal of reproductive biomedicine · 2022Review
- Development, implementation, and evaluation of a multidisciplinary oncology sexual health clinic in a Canadian cancer care setting.Journal of cancer survivorship : research and practice · 2021Article
- The Oncology and Sexuality, Intimacy, and Survivorship Program Model: An Integrated, Multi-disciplinary Model of Sexual Health Care within Oncology.Journal of cancer education : the official journal of the American Association for Cancer Education · 2021Article
- Patient interest in the Lowdown on Down There: attendance at a vulvovaginal and sexual health workshop post-cancer treatment.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2020Article
- Sexual Function, Quality of Life, and Mood After Radiation Therapy in Patients with Anal Cancer.Journal of gastrointestinal cancer · 2020Article
- Assessing the utility of a distress screening tool at capturing sexual concerns in a gyne-oncology follow-up clinic.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2018Article
- Validation of Clinical Tools for Vaginal and Vulvar Symptom Assessment in Cancer Patients and Survivors.The journal of sexual medicine · 2017Article
- Physical examination of the female cancer patient with sexual concerns: What oncologists and patients should expect from consultation with a specialist.CA: a cancer journal for clinicians · 2016Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
9 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
Abstract
purposeThe purpose of this study is to characterize patients seeking treatment at a Female Sexual Medicine and Women's Health Program and examine their sexual/vaginal health issues.
methodsData from clinical assessment forms were extracted from 509 women referred to the Female Sexual Medicine and Women's Health Program during/after cancer treatment. The form consists of a Vaginal Assessment Scale (VAS), vaginal health items, patient-reported outcomes (PROs) (Sexual Activity Questionnaire [SAQ], Sexual Self-Schema Scale [SSS], Female Sexual Function Index [FSFI]), and exploratory items.
resultsOf 509 patients, 493 (97 %) completed PROs; 253 (50 %) received a pelvic examination. The majority had a history of breast (n = 260, 51 %), gynecologic (n = 184, 36 %), or colorectal/anal (n = 35, 7 %) cancer. Mean age was 51.2 years; 313 (62 %) were married/partnered. Approximately two thirds had elevated vaginal pH scores (5-6.5 [35 %] or 6.5+ [33 %]) and minimal (62 %) or no (5 %) vaginal moisture. Eighty-seven patients (44 %) experienced pain during their exam (23 % mild, 11 % moderate, 1.5 % severe, and 8.5 % not indicated). Fifty-three percent engaged in sexual activity with a partner; only 43 % felt confident about future sexual activity. Ninety-three percent were somewhat to very concerned/worried about sexual function/vaginal health. Approximately half had moderate/severe dryness (n = 133, 51 %) and dyspareunia (n = 120, 46 %). The mean SSS score was 60.7, indicating a slightly positive sexual self-view. However, 93.5 % (n = 429) had an FSFI score <26.55, suggesting sexual dysfunction.
conclusionsAt initial consult, women reported vaginal dryness, pain, and sexual dysfunction. For many women, pelvic exams showed elevated vaginal pH, lack of moisture, and discomfort with the exam itself. Future analyses will examine changes over time.
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