Care-seeking behavior of Japanese gynecological cancer survivors suffering from adverse effects

Abstract

BackgroundPost-treatment follow-up visits for gynecological cancer survivors should provide opportunities for management of adverse physical/psychological effects of therapy and early recurrence detection. However, the adequacy of such visits in Japan is poorly documented. We qualitatively explored care-seeking experiences of Japanese gynecological cancer survivors and deduced factors influencing care-seeking behaviors and treatment access.MethodsWe conducted 4 semi-structured focus groups comprising altogether 28 Japanese gynecological cancer survivors to collect a variety of participants’ post-treatment care-seeking behaviors through active interaction with participants. Factors influencing access to treatment for adverse effects were analyzed qualitatively.ResultsSurvivors sought care through specialty clinic visits when regular post-treatment gynecological follow-ups were inadequate or when symptoms seemed to be non-treatment related. Information provided by hospital staff during initial treatment influenced patients’ understanding and response to adverse effects. Lack of knowledge and inaccurate symptom interpretation delayed help-seeking, exacerbating symptoms. Gynecologists’ attitudes during follow-ups frequently led survivors to cope with symptoms on their own. Information from mass media, Internet, and support groups helped patients understand symptoms and facilitated care seeking.ConclusionsPost-treatment adverse effects are often untreated during follow-up visits. Awareness of possible post-treatment adverse effects is important for gynecological cancer survivors in order to obtain appropriate care if the need arises. Consultation during the follow-up visit is essential for continuity in care.

‘Everything’s from the inside out with PCOS’: Exploring women’s experiences of living with polycystic ovary syndrome and co-morbidities through Skype™ interviews

“…This concurs with Holbrey and Coulson (2013) who found that participation in an online support group for women with PCOS can help women feel empowered, as it allows them to connect with other women with PCOS and enables them to access information and advice.…”

“…To date, few studies have explored PCOS from a qualitative perspective (Crete and Adamshick, 2011; Holbrey and Coulson, 2013; Williams et al, 2014). Moreover, those studies excluded women with PCOS who experienced co-morbidities; Moreira and Azevedo (2006) argue that incorporating qualitative approaches into PCOS studies could contribute to our understanding of the impact of the disease.…”

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“…In their study of 261 Barbadian females aged 15–19 years, Drakes et al (2013) found that one-third of their sample who were sexually active also self-reported from two to five or more sexual partners. Reliable data based on representative samples are lacking on whether these multiple sexual partners are concurrent, sequential, transactional, or affection-based relationships (Baumgartner et al, 2009).…”

“…Therefore, age mixing may result from prevailing cultural patterns; incest, rape, and coercion; social pressures to acquiesce to elders or to men in authority; or from a combination of factors such as may be the case when school girls are offered money for school fees or gifts in exchange for sex (Allen et al, 2000; Gibbison, 2007), which is sometimes referred to as the “sugar daddy syndrome” (Drakes et al, 2013). It has also been reported that Jamaican youth aged 15–24 years, including students in tertiary institutions, are increasingly engaged in transactional and high-risk sexual practices with multiple partners for economic gain (Dunkley-Willis, 2014).…”

Trial of Optimal Personalised Care After Treatment for Gynaecological cancer (TOPCAT-G): a study protocol for a randomised feasibility trial

“…Gynaecological cancer patients have reported a high level of need for detailed information, information regarding how best to recover from surgery or to avoid recurrence and information regarding physiological and psychological issues [24, 26, 27]. There is evidence that doctors in routine follow-up clinics often fail to identify such problems and, if they do, they fail to address them effectively [28, 29]. …”