"A kaleidoscope of relationships" - cervical cancer survivors' perspectives on their intimate relationships: A qualitative study

Factors Predicting Sexual Satisfaction of Thai Women with Cervical Cancer After Complete Treatment at Least One Year and Their Spouses

BACKGROUND

Sexual satisfaction is vital for the sexual health and well-being of both cervical cancer patients and their spouses. Sexual dissatisfaction can arise from negative treatment, making it important to examine the factors that influence sexual satisfaction.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to explore the factors affecting the sexual satisfaction of Thai women with cervical cancer after complete treatment and their spouses.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A predictive correlational study was conducted with 100 couples using convenience sampling. The study was based on the ecological theory framework. Data were collected from April 2023 to January 2024 in two tertiary hospitals through five questionnaires: a demographic questionnaire, the Thai Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Charlson Comorbidity Index, the Couple Relationship Scale, Natsal 2000, and the New Sexual Satisfaction Scale. Data analysis was performed using multiple linear regression.

RESULTS

The multiple regression analysis showed that sexual difficulties and duration of marriage predicted 25.6% of the variance in sexual satisfaction among women with cervical cancer. The duration of marriage (b = -0.48, p = 0.012) had a stronger impact than sexual difficulties (b = -2.82, p = 0.005). Sexual difficulties and couple relationships accounted for 34.9% of the variance in sexual satisfaction for spouses. Sexual difficulties (b = -3.13, p = 0.004) had a greater effect than couple relationships (b = 0.30, p = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

Healthcare providers should promote constructive communication between couples through open, respectful, and supportive dialogue to strengthen their relationship, improve mutual understanding, address sexual difficulties, and enhance sexual satisfaction for women with cervical cancer after treatment and their spouses. The findings results can inform future intervention research aimed at improving sexual satisfaction in this population one-year post treatment.

Illness perception and intimate relationships in patients with cervical cancer: the mediating role of dyadic coping

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

A good intimate relationship (IR) can relieve the psychological distress of patients with cervical cancer and promote a sense of well-being during stressful times. Researchers have found that IR is related to illness perception (IP) and dyadic coping (DC). Therefore, this study aimed to (1) describe the IR of patients with cervical cancer, (2) identify the relationships and pathways among IP, DC and IR in patients with cervical cancer and (3) explore the mediating role of DC between IP and IR in cervical cancer patients.

METHODS

A total of 175 patients with cervical cancer were recruited at a tertiary hospital in China from September 2021 to January 2023. The data were collected through a general demographic and disease-related information questionnaire, the Locke-Wallace Marriage Adjustment Test, the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire of Cervical Cancer and the Dyadic Coping Inventory.

RESULTS

The mean score for intimate relationships was 107.78 (SD = 23.99, range 30-154). Pearson's correlation analysis revealed that intimate relationships were positively correlated with IP (personal control) and DC (stress communication, supportive DC, delegated DC and common DC) and were negatively correlated with IP (consequence, timeline acute/chronic, timeline cyclical and emotional representation) and negative DC. As for the results of the structural equation model, DC fully mediated the influencing effects of both positive and negative IP on IR.

CONCLUSIONS

The level of IR of patients with cervical cancer in China should be improved. DC has a significant mediating effect on the link between the IP and IR.

Associations between dyadic communication and dyadic coping of patients with cervical cancer and their spouses: a study utilizing the actor-partner interdependence model

There is a growing focus on exploring dyadic interactions and outcomes between couples undergoing cervical cancer (CC). The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to figure out how dyadic communication influences both CC patients' and spouses' coping abilities. A sample of 286 CC dyads completed questionnaires assessing dyadic communication and dyadic coping. The actor-partner interdependence model was used to analyze the interaction effect between the dyads. Dyadic communication among cervical cancer (CC) patients has a predictive effect on their own negative dyadic coping (β =  - 0.141, P = 0.034) and on their spouses' delegated dyadic coping (β = 0.133, P = 0.044). In contrast, dyadic communication among CC spouses is negatively associated with their own supportive dyadic coping (β =  - 0.237, P < 0.001), delegated dyadic coping (β =  - 0.156, P = 0.018), common dyadic coping (β =  - 0.148, P = 0.026) and also with CC patients' supportive dyadic coping (β =  - 0.153, P = 0.022). Dyadic communication between CC patients and their spouses affect their own and each other's dyadic coping. Exploring interventions focused on the CC couples' communication strategies to enhance their positive dyadic coping should be considered.

"Is My Brain Ever Going to Work Fully Again?": Challenges and Needs of Cancer Survivors with Persistent Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment

Many cancer survivors experience cognitive impairments that impact memory, concentration, speed of information processing, and decision making. These impairments, collectively known as cancer-related cognitive impairments (CRCIs), are a key domain of unmet needs and can significantly impact a cancer survivor's identity and quality of life. However, there are no purpose-built, multi-domain, needs assessment tools specifically for CRCI. The development of such tools requires an in-depth understanding of cancer survivors' CRCI-specific challenges and associated needs. This study explored the challenges and associated needs of cancer survivors with persistent CRCI. An in-depth qualitative design using semi-structured interviews with (a) cancer survivors with perceived CRCI (n = 32) and (b) oncology health professionals (n = 19) was utilised. A reflexive thematic analysis of the interviews resulted in five overarching themes: (1) executing regular activities, (2) relational difficulties, (3) occupational functioning, (4) psychological distress, and (5) social functioning, as well as an additional informational needs domain. Ultimately, CRCI was found to directly produce a range of challenges that negatively, and persistently, impact cancer survivors' quality of life. Cancer survivors were also found to have a range of needs associated with these challenges. This research should be used to inform future challenges and needs assessment tools as well as treatment and supportive care priority areas directly relating to CRCI.