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Finding sexual health aids after cancer: are cancer centers supporting survivors’ needs?

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Journal of Cancer Survivorship Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Sexual dysfunction is one of the most prevalent and distressing treatment-related side effects for both male and female cancer survivors. Survivorship care guidelines recommend therapeutic sexual aids to help improve sexual problems. However, little is known about the availability of sexual aids and resources at cancer centers.

Methods

Twenty-five comprehensive cancer centers affiliated with both the National Cancer Institute and the National Comprehensive Care Network were surveyed using the “mystery shopper” method to determine whether various types of sexual aids were available at the centers. Staffs from cancer center staff retail stores and patient boutiques were queried in separate telephone calls regarding the availability of these aids for and women.

Results

Of the 25 centers contacted, 23 (92%) responded about aids for men, and 22 (88%) responded about aids for women. Eighty-seven percent of the centers reported having no sexual aids available for men, and 72% of centers reported having no aids available for women. The most common advice given to mystery shoppers was a suggestion to use the internet. Only one center had numerous aids/resources for both men and women.

Conclusions

The large majority of cancer centers reported having no sexual aids or other sexual health resources available for men or women.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

Results underscore the widespread lack of resources to promote sexual health rehabilitation at major cancer centers, both for male and female survivors.

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Funding

The authors gratefully acknowledge the SWIM Across America foundation for funding this study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, USA

    Sharon L. Bober, Alexis L. Michaud & Christopher J. Recklitis

  2. Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA, USA

    Sharon L. Bober & Christopher J. Recklitis

Authors
  1. Sharon L. Bober
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  3. Christopher J. Recklitis
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Correspondence to Sharon L. Bober.

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This research was approved by the Dana-Farber Cancer Center Institute, Office for Human Research Studies.

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Bober, S.L., Michaud, A.L. & Recklitis, C.J. Finding sexual health aids after cancer: are cancer centers supporting survivors’ needs?. J Cancer Surviv 13, 224–230 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-019-00744-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-019-00744-2

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