Oral Presentation Cancer Survivorship 2017

Let’s talk about sex – in conversation with a Rekindle study participant (#29)

Haryana Dhillon 1 , Douglas Williams 1 , Phyllis Butow 1 , Ilona Juraskova 1 , Kim Hobbs 2 , Annie Miller 3 , Catalina Lawsin 4
  1. Centre for Medical Psychology & Evidence-based Decision-making, School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  2. School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  3. Crown Princess Mary Cancer Care Centre, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia
  4. School of Information Technology, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia

Background

Many people diagnosed with cancer experience changes in sexual function due to disease and/or side effects of treatment. Long-term sexual changes can lead to psychological distress and reduced quality of life for survivors and partners. We developed and piloted Rekindle, a web-based psycho-educational intervention, to provide accessible, tailored psychosexual support to cancer survivors

Objectives: to explore the experience of taking part in the rekindle program study.  

Intervention:

The Rekindle study is a 3-arm phase II randomised control trial conducted over six months.

Treatment groups: Rekindle, Rekindle Plus (self-led plus 3 navigational support calls) and Attention Control.

The Rekindle intervention incorporates seven evidence-based modules empowering users to manage sexual changes, content is delivered via the internet as written information, video, tutorials, and exercises. Two modules are mandatory and five tailored to user’s sexual concerns. Rekindle is tailored to gender, patient/partner, single/partnered, and sexual preference requiring a total of 12 versions of materials, all subject to individualised prescription of modules. Attention control participants are provided written information via the internet during the first 10 weeks, then given access to Rekindle.

Results: 105 people took part in the Rekindle study between October 2015 and November 2016.  Here we will conversationally explore an individual’s experience of the study and intervention, as well as their experience discussing sexual worries or problems with their healthcare providers both before and after their cancer experience to see how this might have changed since completing the study.  We will also explore the impact of healthcare provider behaviours that either facilitate or block conversations about sexual health. 

Conclusions:  Many cancer survivors report difficulty in raising sexual concerns with their healthcare providers.  It is important for providers to facilitate conversations about sex by giving patients permission to ask questions about their sexual health and wellbeing.