Provision of Sexual Health Support

Changes to sexuality and intimacy are a common consequence of cancer and cancer treatment. Such changes are multifaceted and associated with a range of negative physical and emotional outcomes for both people with cancer and their partners, as well as changes to roles and intimate relationships. This chapter examines cancer treatment side effects and their impact on sexuality and sexual functioning, risk factors for experiencing sexual difficulties, and the clinical management of sexual changes. We also address barriers to effective communication about sexuality and sexual changes and explore specific cultural or ethical challenges when providing support to people with cancer and their partners. Clinical management and effective communication, by providing general sexual health information and advice, as well as intensive therapy, are outlined, following the PLISSIT and BETTER models. The potential impact of information and advice, in terms of renegotiated sexual practice, is examined, illustrated through case examples.

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The “Be All and End All”? Young People, Online Sexual Health Information, Science and Skepticism

Qualitative Health Research ◽

10.1177/10497323211003543 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 104973232110035

Author(s):

Adrian Farrugia ◽

Andrea Waling ◽

Kiran Pienaar ◽

Suzanne Fraser

Keyword(s):

Young People ◽

Sexual Health ◽

Health Information ◽

Information Science ◽

Medical Information ◽

Health Resources ◽

Sexual Practices ◽

Sexual Health Information ◽

Science Society ◽

Online Sources

In this article, we investigate young people’s trust in online sexual health resources. Analyzing interviews with 37 young people in Australia using Irwin and Michael’s account of science–society relations and Warner’s conceptualization of “publics,” we explore the processes by which they assess the credibility of online sexual health information. We suggest that when seeking medical information, young people opt for traditionally authoritative online sources that purport to offer “facts.” By contrast, when seeking information about relationships or sexual practices, participants indicated a preference for websites presenting “experiences” rather than or as well as “facts.” Regardless of content, however, our participants approached online sexual health information skeptically and used various techniques to appraise its quality and trustworthiness. We argue that these young people are productively understood as a skeptical public of sexual health. We conclude by exploring the implications of our analysis for the provision of online sexual health information.

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Sexual health information seeking behaviour of adolescents and their satisfaction with the information outcome: An application of the theory of motivated information management

The Journal of Academic Librarianship ◽

10.1016/j.acalib.2021.102383 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 47 (5) ◽

pp. 102383

Author(s):

Chaminda Chiran Jayasundara

Keyword(s):

Sexual Health ◽

Health Information ◽

Information Management ◽

Information Seeking ◽

Health Information Seeking ◽

Sexual Health Information ◽

Information Seeking Behaviour

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Sexual Experiences and Perspectives of Adolescents and Young Adults With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Journal of Adolescent Research ◽

10.1177/07435584211028225 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 074355842110282

Author(s):

Elizabeth K. Schmidt ◽

Megan Dougherty ◽

Natalie Robek ◽

Lindy Weaver ◽

Amy R. Darragh

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Developmental Disabilities ◽

Sexual Health ◽

Health Information ◽

Sexual Education ◽

Adolescents And Young Adults ◽

Comparative Approach ◽

Sexual Experiences ◽

Diverse Range ◽

Sexual Health Information

The purpose of this study is to understand the sexual experiences and perspectives of adolescents and young adults (AYA) with intellectual or developmental disabilities, how they are receiving sexual education, and how sexual education can be tailored to their needs. This qualitative study utilized semi-structured focus groups and interviews with eight AYA with intellectual or developmental disabilities from January 14 to May 7, 2019. Data were analyzed using a constant comparative approach. Participants reported a diverse range of sexual experiences and an interest in marriage and parenting in the future. Two themes emerged for how AYA are learning about sexual health information: through formal (school, doctors’ visits, or from caregivers) and informal education (peers, siblings, self-exploration, or Pop Culture). Sexual education can be tailored to this population by addressing educational gaps (pregnancy, contraception, sexually transmitted infections, intimacy, and sexual activity) and by implementing specific participant recommendations (proactive, inclusive education with real-life examples). With a growing emphasis on disability rights to sexual education among individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, it is vital to understand AYA’s experiences, perspectives, and current understanding of sexual health information so that we can design a program specifically tailored to meet their unique needs.

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Book Review Current Research and Clinical Management of Melanoma (Cancer Treatment and Research Volume 65) Edited by Larry Nathanson. 388 pp., illustrated. Boston, Kluwer Academic, 1993. $195. 0-7923-2152-9 Malignant Melanoma: Medical and Surgical Management Edited by Ferdy J. Lejeune, Prabir K. Chaudhuri, and Tapas K. Das Gupta. 383 pp., illustrated. New York, McGraw-Hill, 1994. $35. 0-07-105421-9

New England Journal of Medicine ◽

10.1056/nejm199411033311826 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 331 (18) ◽

pp. 1246-1246

Author(s):

Israel Penn

Keyword(s):

New York ◽

Malignant Melanoma ◽

Cancer Treatment ◽

Surgical Management ◽

Clinical Management ◽

Melanoma Cancer ◽

Review Current

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‘Most young men think you have to be naked in front of the GP’: a qualitative study of male university students’ views on barriers to sexual health

Sexual Health ◽

10.1071/sh15217 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 124 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Cameron Ewert ◽

Archibald Collyer ◽

Meredith Temple-Smith

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

General Practice ◽

Sexual Health ◽

University Students ◽

Health Information ◽

Young Men ◽

Sexual Health Education ◽

Sexual Health Care ◽

Sexual Health Information ◽

Male University Students

Background In Australia, 15- to 29-year-olds account for 75% of all sexually transmissible infection (STI) diagnoses. STI rates among young men are rising, with most diagnosed in general practice. Young men less frequently attend general practice than young women, and rarely present with sexual health issues, making it difficult for general practitioners (GPs) to offer opportunistic STI education and screening. Little is known of the barriers preventing male university students accessing general practice for sexual health care, or what would facilitate this. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with young men aged 18–24 years attending university between 2012 and 2014. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using content and thematic analysis. Results: Twenty-eight interviews of 26–50 min duration found self-imposed views of masculinity, privacy and embarrassment as key barriers to accessing GPs for sexual health care. This was compounded by poor STI knowledge and not knowing when or where to go for care. Participants, except if they were international students, acknowledged school as an important source of sexual health education. The need for sexual health education at university was identified. While the Internet was a popular source, there were mixed views on the benefits of social media and text messaging for sexual health promotion. Conclusions: Current expectations of young male university students to seek sexual health care or acquire sexual health information from medical care may be misplaced. Universities have an excellent opportunity to provide young men with appropriate sexual health information and could offer novel strategies to help young men look after their sexual health.

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Making epistemic citizens: Young people and the search for reliable and credible sexual health information

Social Science & Medicine ◽

10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.113817 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 276 ◽

pp. 113817

Author(s):

Suzanne Fraser ◽

David Moore ◽

Andrea Waling ◽

Adrian Farrugia

Keyword(s):

Young People ◽

Sexual Health ◽

Health Information ◽

Sexual Health Information

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When Eating Becomes Torturous: Understanding Nutrition-Related Cancer Treatment Side Effects among Individuals with Cancer and Their Caregivers

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu14020356 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 356

Author(s):

Brandy-Joe Milliron ◽

Lora Packel ◽

Dan Dychtwald ◽

Cynthia Klobodu ◽

Laura Pontiggia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Side Effects ◽

Cancer Treatment ◽

Food Preferences ◽

Treatment Side Effects ◽

Food And Nutrition ◽

Loss Of Appetite ◽

Living With Cancer ◽

Depth Interviews

Individuals living with cancer often experience multiple nutrition-related side effects from cancer treatment, including changes in taste and smell, nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and pain during eating. These side effects can profoundly impact nutritional status and quality of life. The purpose of this study was to explore experiences with nutrition-related cancer treatment side effects among cancer patients and their family caregivers, the way they manage such side effects, and the resulting changes in food preferences and behaviors. Structured surveys and in-depth interviews were conducted. Interviews focused on the presence and management of treatment side effects, how those changes influenced food preferences, and the extent to which they interfered with quality of life. Most patients (72%) reported treatment side effects; 61% reported that these side effects impacted their eating and drinking. Common side effects included fatigue (58%), dry mouth (30%), nausea (24%), constipation (20%) and diarrhea (20%). Six overarching qualitative themes were identified: Spiral of side effects; Pain of eating; Burden of eating; Loss of taste/change in taste; Symptom management; and Solutions. The authors conclude with implications for food and nutrition practice—moving beyond traditional recommendations of what to eat or avoid—to consider the overall patient and caregiver experience.

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