Sexual Wellbeing and Supportive Care Needs After Cancer in a Multiethnic Asian Setting: A Qualitative Study

Discussions were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was performed using NVivo. Three major themes emerged: loss, adjustments, and unmet supportive care needs. Under the main theme of loss, changes in physical appearances and childbearing abilities negatively impacted participants ’ self-confidence and body image, particularly in the females. Changes in quality of sexual activity were commonly raised, which often brought about conflicts and marital strains. Various methods to cope with the changes were described, including reprioritization of sex, using sexual aids, employi ng other forms of intimacy, and reframing sex as an obligation. Participants further voiced the unmet need for professional counselling services to enable honest communication between patients and their partners, and also sexual healthcare services, which were all deemed as paramount to address thei r sexual issues. In the low- and middle-income countries, provision of sexual healthcare services including counselling and clinical management of sexual dysfunction should not be overlooked as an important component of supportive cancer care.
Source: Sexuality and Disability - Category: Disability Source Type: research