Journal Article

Including partners in discussions of sexual side effects from breast cancer: a qualitative study of survivors, partners, and providers

Clayton, Anita H., Ritterband, Lee M., Millard, Trish A., Reese, Jennifer Barsky, Shaffer, Kelly M., Cohn, Wendy, Kennedy, Erin, Ingersoll, Karen S., Showalter, Shayna, Glazer, Jillian V.

2022

Overview

Purpose Ensuring there are clear standards for addressing cancer-related sexual side effects is important. Currently, there are differences in two leading sets of clinical guidelines regarding the inclusion of survivors’ romantic partners into clinical discussions between survivors and their providers about this issue. To help refine guidelines, we examine breast cancer survivor, partner, and oncology provider perspectives about including partners in discussions about cancer-related sexual side effects in a secondary analysis of a broader qualitative study. Methods Partnered female breast cancer survivors ( N  = 29) completed online surveys, and intimate partners of breast cancer survivors ( N  = 12) and breast oncology providers ( N  = 8) completed semi-structured interviews. Themes were derived from thematic content analysis. Results Among survivors who reported a discussion with their provider, fewer than half indicated their partner had been present, despite most survivors expressing it was — or would have been — helpful to include their partner. Partners also largely indicated being included was or would have been helpful, when welcomed by the survivor. Providers similarly emphasized the importance of survivors’ autonomy in deciding whether to discuss sexual concerns in the presence of a partner. Conclusions Partners were infrequently included in conversations about cancer-related sexual side effects, even though survivors, partners, and providers alike expressed value in these discussions occurring with the couple together — when that is the survivor’s preference. Findings suggest future clinical guidelines should emphasize that incorporating partners into clinical discussions about sexual concerns is important for many breast cancer patients. Soliciting and enacting patients’ preferences is essential for truly patient-centered care.

• Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg,Springer,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Autonomy / Breast cancer / Breast Neoplasms / Cancer / Cancer Survivors / Cancer therapies / Clinical practice guidelines / Clinical standards / Content analysis / Couples / Drug effects / Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / Female / Humans / Intimacy / Medicine / Medicine & Public Health / Nursing / Nursing Research / Oncology / Oncology, Experimental / Original Article / Pain Medicine / Patient-centered care / Patients / Practice guidelines (Medicine) / Qualitative research / Rehabilitation Medicine / Romantic relationships / Sexual Behavior / Sexual disorders / Sexual Partners / Side effects / Soliciting / Surveys / Survivor / Survivors / Womens health