Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40751145›Full record

ArticleBMC cancer2025

"Cancer changes everything, but it makes you wonder-am I still enough?" serial focus groups with adolescent and young adult cancer patients to understand experiences with cancer and sexual and reproductive health.

Niki Oveisi, Vicki Cheng, Dani Taylor, Preet Kang, Lori A Brotto, Stuart Peacock, Helen McTaggart-Cowan, Gillian E Hanley, Sharlene Gill, Meera Rayar and 5 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC cancer, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

15 authors.

Niki OveisiFaculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2405 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada.
Vicki ChengFaculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2405 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada.
Dani TaylorPatient Research Partner, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Preet KangFaculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2405 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada.
Lori A BrottoFaculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Stuart PeacockBC Cancer, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Helen McTaggart-CowanBC Cancer, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Gillian E HanleyFaculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Sharlene GillFaculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Meera RayarFaculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2405 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada.
Amirrtha SrikanthanFaculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
Mikaela BarnesPatient Research Partner, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Haydn BechtholdPatient Research Partner, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Norman JansenPatient Research Partner, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Mary A De VeraFaculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2405 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada. mdevera@mail.ubc.ca.

Funding

CIHR PJT-186082Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council 767-2021-2468
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe impacts of cancer and its treatment on sexual and reproductive health among adolescents and young adults (AYA, ages 15–39) are not understood. We conducted a patient-oriented, novel serial focus group study to explore the sexual and reproductive health experiences of AYA cancer patients during and beyond treatment.

methodsParticipants (≥ 18 years) who were diagnosed with cancer between 15 and 39 years and reside in Canada were assigned to respective focus group cohorts based on shared characteristics (e.g., gender, cancer stage). Each cohort participated in three serial focus groups that emulated support groups, fostering a sense of community. Focus groups were co-facilitated with a patient research partner (PRP) and guided by a topic guide co-created with PRPs. Framework analysis involving steps of familiarizing with transcripts, identifying thematic framework, indexing data sections by theme, extracting and organizing data into charts, and analyzing charts, were applied to transcripts.

resultsAltogether, 48 AYA cancer patients, divided into 8 cohorts, participated in a total of 24 focus groups. Cohorts included: cis-gender women (n = 10), 2SLGBTQIA+ (n = 7), Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC; n = 7), cis-gender men (n = 6), breast cancer (n = 6), pelvic cancer (n = 6), diagnosed during adolescence (ages 15 to 19; n = 4), and stage 4 (n = 3) (one individual participated in two cohorts). Cohorts had representation of nonbinary and gender fluid participants (n = 4), non-heterosexual sexual orientation (n = 14), and racial diversity (n = 12). The final framework encompassed two thematic areas broadly categorized as patients’ experiences (“what is happening to them”) and their responses (“how they are reacting or acting”). The first thematic area (three themes), focused inward on the direct effects of cancer and its treatment on patients’ sexual and reproductive health. The second thematic area (three themes), looks outward at the external impacts, capturing how cancer affects aspects of patients’ sexual and reproductive health, including relationships, societal expectations, and community support.

conclusionUncovering the profound and complex personal and interpersonal impacts of AYA cancer on sexual and reproductive health, our study has important implications for informing appropriate and affirming support.

Indexed as

NeoplasmsReproductive HealthSexual HealthAdolescentAdultCanadaFemaleFocus GroupsHumansMaleSexual BehaviorYoung AdultAdolescent and young adultCancer survivorshipCancer treatmentReproductive healthSexual health

Identifiers

PMID40751145
PMCPMC12315403

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.