Evaluating the Impact of Prostate Cancer Therapy on the Sexual Quality of Life of Couples
Abstract
All forms of localized and advanced prostate cancer treatment have a significant impact on sexual function. Even prostate biopsies, which are used to diagnose or monitor prostate cancer, can have sexual side effects. Although the majority of prostate cancer survivors report poor sexual function, only a minority receive treatment for it. Changes in sexual health after prostate cancer diagnosis also have a significant impact on patients’ partners. A majority of female partners of prostate cancer patients reported a negative impact in one study, and this proportion increased over time. However, only a few studies have examined interventions to improve sexual health and quality of life for both prostate cancer patients and their partners. Furthermore, there are no dedicated tools to measure the sexual impact of prostate cancer on partners, and their needs are not routinely assessed in clinical practice. Our study will greatly expand the scope of evidence on the sexual health impact of prostate cancer on female partners. First, we will examine posts about sexual quality of life by female partners to a large online prostate cancer discussion forum. Our preliminary data suggest that women have many different experiences, ranging from grief over the loss of intercourse and feelings of isolation to unmet informational needs on how to manage specific barriers to sexual activity (e.g., leakage of urine during sexual activity). After completing our analysis of online posts, we will conduct in-depth interviews with female partners to verify the key themes that we identify in their experiences related to sexual quality of life after prostate cancer diagnosis and what resources would be helpful to them. Our results will be used to develop a new questionnaire to assess the sexual experience and unmet needs of female partners of prostate cancer patients. The questionnaire will be refined through input from a panel of experts and female partners. We will then validate the questionnaire in 200 female partners from across the U.S. Finally, we will create videos and informational posts about sexual health for couples facing prostate cancer, with specific information directed at female partners. This new content will be disseminated broadly through conventional and social media, as well as community partnerships with foundations and advocacy groups. Benefits of this study for prostate cancer care include the potential to improve sexual quality of life for prostate cancer patients and their female partners. We anticipate that when partners feel better supported and validated through resources aimed at their needs, they will be better able to negotiate mutual needs and support with their patient partners. Deliverables from this proposal include the most comprehensive analysis of the impact of prostate cancer on sexual quality of life for female partners to date, development of a new questionnaire for use in clinical practice and in research to identify partners with unmet sexual needs, and creation of the first digital resources specifically addressing sexual health for partners of prostate cancer patients. A drawback of the study is that some partners do not use online networks for this type of information and might not benefit from results. However, the use of these networks continues to rise, and the tools from our study will also be shared through additional sources (e.g., support groups, medical societies, radio). Another limitation is that our study focuses on female partners and might not benefit men without a partner or with a male partner. Additional studies are warranted to address sexual needs in these and other groups affected by prostate cancer (e.g., gay and transgender). Optimizing sexual quality of life for couples living with prostate cancer directly addresses the overarching challenge of improving quality of life in survivorship.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 10, 2021
- Source ID
- W81XWH2010380
Entities
People
- Stacy Loeb
Organizations
- Grossman School of Medicine
- United States Army