Relationship Dynamics among Couples Dealing with Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review

Valente, Marco; Chirico, Ilaria; Ottoboni, Giovanni; Chattat, Rabih

doi:10.3390/ijerph18147288

Cited by 23 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 63 publications

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“…In younger couples or in relationships where coping strategies are not shared, research has shown higher levels of psychosocial distress following a cancer diagnosis, 38 which negatively correlates to quality of life and cancer-related mortality. 39 Our results are in line with previous findings which suggest that attitudes and health beliefs are highly concordant across couples. 16 While some of this may be attributable to assortative mating, previous longitudinal research suggests that spousal influence itself is associated with health enhancing behaviours.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

“…In our study, participants were married for 25-50 years, indicating high levels of compatibility. In younger couples or in relationships where coping strategies are not shared, research has shown higher levels of psychosocial distress following a cancer diagnosis [38], which negatively correlates to quality of life and cancerrelated mortality [39].…”

Section: Accepted Articlementioning

confidence: 99%

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The role of partner support for health behaviours in people living with and beyond cancer: A qualitative study

et al. 2022

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This study aimed to qualitatively explore how partner support for health behaviours is perceived, received, and utilised in people living with and beyond cancer (LWBC).Methods: Semi-structured audio interviews were conducted with 24 participants, 15 men and 9 women, living with and beyond breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer. Inductive and deductive Thematic Analysis was used to analyse the data.Results: Three key themes with six subthemes were identified relating to partner support for health behaviours: 1) Interdependence (Reciprocity, Overt Control, Influence & Motivation) 2) Concordance, (Shared Attitudes & Health Beliefs, Shared Health Behaviour) and 3) Communal Coping (Communal Orientation towards Health and Decision Making, Co-operative Action in Health Behaviour). Conclusions: Partner support plays a unique and significant role in the health behaviours of people LWBC. Partners play a collaborative role in managing health and facilitating health behaviours, while the high level of concordance in couples may represent a potential barrier to change via the reinforcement of maladaptive health beliefs and behaviours. Implications for Cancer Survivors: Overall, findings demonstrate that partners should be considered and included where possible when designing future behaviour change interventions for people LWBC.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Section: Accepted Articlementioning

confidence: 99%

The role of partner support for health behaviours in people living with and beyond cancer: A qualitative study

et al. 2022

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“…The broader context should most likely be acknowledged throughout an intervention or clinical process (e.g., therapy) as patients’ and partners’ thoughts and feelings on the subject may change over time. Overall, these findings are consistent with prior research demonstrating a range of types of changes experienced in the relationships of women with metastatic breast cancer ( Valente et al, 2021 ) and highlight the importance of considering the context of the metastatic diagnosis and the changed overall relationship when addressing sexual concerns for partnered women with MBC.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Coping With Changes to Sex and Intimacy After a Diagnosis of Metastatic Breast Cancer: Results From a Qualitative Investigation With Patients and Partners

et al. 2022

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Objective:Prior research examining sexual and intimacy concerns among metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients and their intimate partners is limited. In this qualitative study, we explored MBC patients’ and partners’ experiences of sexual and intimacy-related changes and concerns, coping efforts, and information needs and intervention preferences, with a focus on identifying how the context of MBC shapes these experiences.Methods:We conducted 3 focus groups with partnered patients with MBC [N = 12; M age = 50.2; 92% White; 8% Black] and 6 interviews with intimate partners [M age = 47.3; 83% White; 17% Black]. Participants were recruited through the Fox Chase Cancer Center Tumor Registry and the Cancer Support Community. Qualitative data were analyzed using the Framework Method and Dedoose software.Results:Qualitative analyses revealed several key themes reflecting ways in which MBC shapes experiences of sex/intimacy: (1) the heavy disease/treatment burden leads to significant, long-term sexual concerns (e.g., loss of interest and vaginal dryness/discomfort) and consequent heightened emotional distress for both patients (e.g., guilt around not being able to engage in intercourse) and partners (e.g., guilt around pressuring the patient to engage in sexual activity despite pain/discomfort); (2) viewing the relationship as having “an expiration date” (due to expected earlier mortality) influences patients’ and partners’ concerns related to sex/intimacy and complicates coping efforts; and (3) information needs extend beyond managing sexual side effects to include emotional aspects of intimacy and the added strain of the life-limiting nature of the disease on the relationship. The heightened severity of sexual concerns faced by patients with MBC, compounded by the terminal nature of the disease, may place patients and partners at risk for significant adverse emotional and interpersonal consequences.Conclusion:Findings suggest unique ways in which sex and intimate relationships change after a diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer from both patients’ and partners’ perspectives. Consideration of the substantial physical and emotional burden of MBC and the broader context of the relationship and intimacy overall is important when developing a sexuality-focused intervention in this population. Addressing sexual concerns is a critical part of cancer care with important implications for patients’ health and quality of life.

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“…These areas are crucial not only due to the high prevalence of psychological distress among cancer patient but also due to the consequences of such disorders on overall health [ 59 ]. In fact, considering breast cancer, a much more widespread, well-known and well-studied type of cancer among women, a large volume of literature is available on quality of life [ 60 ], sexuality [ 61 , 62 ] and partner relationships [ 63 , 64 ]. Furthermore, future studies should investigate the psychological aspects of sexual experience, shame, body image, desire and avoidance of desire as well as considering the sexual orientation of patients and the specific needs related to it that may emerge.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impact of Vulvar Cancer on Psychosocial and Sexual Functioning: A Literature Review

Malandrone

Bevilacqua²,

Merola

et al. 2021

Cancers

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Women who are diagnosed and treated for vulvar cancer are at higher risk of psychological distress, sexual dysfunction and dissatisfaction with partner relationships. The aim of this article is to provide a review of the psychological, relational and sexual issues experienced by women with vulvar cancer in order to highlight the importance of this issue and improve the quality of care offered to these patients. A review of the literature was performed using PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Library. The results are presented as a narrative synthesis and highlight the massive impact of vulvar cancer: depressive and anxiety symptoms were more frequent in these women, and vulvar cancer may have a negative effect on sexuality from a physical, psychological and behavioural point of view. Factors that may negatively affect these women’s lives are shame, insecurity or difficulties in self-care and daily activities. This review highlights the psychosocial and psychosexual issues faced by women diagnosed and treated for vulvar cancer, although more studies are needed to better investigate this field of interest and to identify strategies to relieve their psychological distress. Care providers should implement an integrated care model to help women with vulvar cancer recognise and address their unmet needs.

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Relationship Dynamics among Couples Dealing with Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review

Cited by 23 publications

References 63 publications

The role of partner support for health behaviours in people living with and beyond cancer: A qualitative study

The role of partner support for health behaviours in people living with and beyond cancer: A qualitative study

Coping With Changes to Sex and Intimacy After a Diagnosis of Metastatic Breast Cancer: Results From a Qualitative Investigation With Patients and Partners

The Impact of Vulvar Cancer on Psychosocial and Sexual Functioning: A Literature Review

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