Sexual functioning of testicular cancer survivors and their partners – A review of literature

Jankowska, Monika

doi:10.1016/j.rpor.2011.11.001

Cited by 30 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Confirming previous research, we found that these sexual disruptions typically included erectile difficulties (Fergus et al, 2002), decreased desire (Mercadante et al, 2012), a de-prioritising of sex , sexual and bodily pain (Jensen et al, 2004) and increased body image concerns (Gilbert et al, 2010b(Gilbert et al, , 2011. The majority of existing research on changes in sexuality post-cancer has focused largely on cancers that directly affect the sexual or reproductive organs, such as prostate, testicular, breast and gynaecological cancer (Galbraith, Fink, & Wilkins, 2011;Gilbert et al, 2010bGilbert et al, , 2011Jankowska, 2012). However, our results show that disruptions to sexuality are not limited to cancers located in 'sexual' sites, with participants with leukaemia, multiple myeloma, colorectal cancer, brain cancer, as well as bowel, liver and lung cancer also reporting a range of disruptions to their sexuality.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

Embodying sexual subjectivity after cancer: A qualitative study of people with cancer and intimate partners

Gilbert

Ussher

Perz

2013

Psychology & Health

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Research has increasingly recognised the profound impact that cancer can have upon embodied subjectivity. However, there has been little acknowledgement of the centrality of sexuality to subjectivity, and marginalisation of the experiences of intimate partners of people with cancer. This Australian qualitative study explores the post-cancer experiences of embodied sexual subjectivity for 44 people with cancer (23 women and 21 men) and 35 partners of people with cancer (18 women and 17 men) across a range of cancer types and stages. Semi-structured interviews were analysed with theoretical thematic analysis, guided by a post-structuralist approach to sexual subjectivity as a dynamic process of becoming that can change over time, and by Williams' [(1996). The vicissitudes of embodiment across the chronic illness trajectory. Body and Society, 2, 23-47] framework on post-illness embodiment. Participants took up the following post-cancer subject positions: 'dys-embodied sexual subjectivity' - characterised by bodily betrayal, sexual loss, lack of acceptance, depression, and anxiety; 're-embodied sexual subjectivity'--characterised by greater sexual confidence, acceptance, the exploration of non-coital sexual practices and increased relational closeness; and 'oscillating sexual subjectivity'--involving a shift between states of sexual dys-embodiment and sexual re-embodiment. The findings point to the importance of focusing on the sexual health of people with cancer and partners across the cancer trajectory.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

Embodying sexual subjectivity after cancer: A qualitative study of people with cancer and intimate partners

Gilbert

Ussher

Perz

2013

Psychology & Health

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“…), gynaecological (Stead et al . ), prostate and testicular cancers (Danile & Haddow ; Jankowska ). However, there is increasing evidence that both men and women across a range of cancer types report changes to their sexuality post cancer (Perz et al .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Talking about sex with health professionals: the experience of people with cancer and their partners

2014

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Changes to sexuality can be one of the most difficult aspects of life following cancer. This study examines the experience of discussing sexuality post cancer with health care professionals (HCPs), from the perspective of women and men with cancer (PWC), and their partners (PPWC), across a range of cancer types. A total of 657 PWC (535 women, 122 men) and 148 PPWC (87 women, 61 men) completed a survey containing closed and open-ended items, analysed by analysis of variance and thematic analysis. Discussions about sexuality with a HCP were more likely to be reported by men (68%) compared to women PWC (43%), and by women (47%) compared to men PPWC (28%), as well as by those with a sexual or reproductive cancer. Men PWC and women PPWC were most likely to want to discuss sexuality with a HCP, with men PWC and PPWC reporting highest levels of satisfaction with such discussions. Open-ended responses revealed dissatisfaction with the unwillingness of HCPs to discuss sexuality, unhappiness with the nature of such discussion, and positive accounts of discussions about sexuality with HCPs. These findings lend support to the notion that people with cancer and their partners may have unmet sexual information and support needs.

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“…Previous research on cancer and sexuality has focused largely on cancers that directly affect the sexual or reproductive organs, such as prostate, testicular, breast and gynaecological cancer [11,12,34,35]. However, there is evidence that cancer also has an impact on the sexual wellbeing of people with non-reproductive cancers, such as lung and colorectal cancer e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Constructions of sex and intimacy after cancer: Q methodology study of people with cancer, their partners, and health professionals

2013

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BackgroundThe increasing number of individuals living with cancer has led to a focus on the quality of life of survivors, and their families. Sexual wellbeing is a central component of quality of life, with a growing body of research demonstrating the association between cancer and changes to sexuality and intimacy. However, little is known about patient and professional understanding of cancer and sexuality post-cancer. This study was designed to explore the complex perspectives that people with personal and professional experience with cancer hold about sexuality in the context of cancer.MethodsAn interview study using Q methodology was conducted with 44 people with cancer, 35 partners of a person with cancer and 37 health professionals working in oncology. Participants were asked to rank-order 56 statements about sexuality and intimacy after cancer and asked to comment on their rankings in a subsequent semi-structured interview. A by-person factor analysis was performed with factors extracted according to the centroid method with a varimax rotation.ResultsA three-factor solution provided the best conceptual fit for the perspectives regarding intimacy and sexuality post-cancer. Factor 1, entitled “communication – dispelling myths about sex and intimacy” positions communication as central to the acceptance of a range of satisfying sexual and intimate practices post-cancer. Factor 2, “valuing sexuality across the cancer journey,” centres on the theme of normalizing the experience of sex after cancer through the renegotiation of sex and intimacy: the development of alternative sexual practices. Factor 3, “intimacy beyond sex,” presents the view that even though sex may not be wanted, desired, or even possible following cancer, quality of life and relationship satisfaction are achieved through communication and non-genital intimacy.ConclusionsThis study has demonstrated the complexity of perspectives about sexuality and intimacy post cancer, which has practical implications for those working in cancer care and survivorship. Therapists and other health professionals can play an important role in ameliorating concerns surrounding sexual wellbeing after cancer, by opening and facilitating discussion of sexuality and intimacy amongst couples affected by cancer, as well as providing information that normalizes a range of sexual and intimate practices.

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Sexual functioning of testicular cancer survivors and their partners – A review of literature

Cited by 30 publications

References 18 publications

Embodying sexual subjectivity after cancer: A qualitative study of people with cancer and intimate partners

Embodying sexual subjectivity after cancer: A qualitative study of people with cancer and intimate partners

Talking about sex with health professionals: the experience of people with cancer and their partners

Constructions of sex and intimacy after cancer: Q methodology study of people with cancer, their partners, and health professionals

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