| 1 Room 518 | Sexuality and Health Friday, July 15, 2005 Time: 8:30 AM-10:30 AM |
Information-Group with female colorectal cancer patients following surgery, chemotherapy and pelvic radiation.
Peleg-Nesher, Sharon*,1, Ashkenazi, Arza2, Pischniak, Leonid2, Yagil, Yaron2, Figer, Arie2, 1 Israel Cancer Association, Israel2 Souraski Tel Aviv Medical Center, Israel
ABSTRACT- The colorectal cancer patient's sexual health may be impaired in different ways. The factors causing disorders in sexual functioning for the most part involve both organic and emotional aspects. Because the patient must face additional side effects, treatment for sexual functioning is usually postponed; therefore these problems are not resolved within the first year or two, but only following treatment, hence making it difficult for the patient and for the couple to return to normalcy. Background: Female colorectal cancer patients, may suffer from a wide variety of symptoms including: vaginal dryness, dyspareunia, reduced ability to reach orgasm, premature ovarian failure, vaginal atrophy, thinning of the vulvar tissues and vagina, loss of tissue elasticity, decreased vaginal lubrication, hot flashes, increased frequency of urinary tract infections, loss of control over the anus opening, causing excretion of feces during and following intercourse upon penetration, mood swings, fatigue and irritability. Method: A focus group was gathered together, with 10 oncology patients participating (ages 35-50) A 3-session information-focused psycho-educational group was conducted at a general hospital in Israel. The intervention included lectures about the therapies and their side effects, with specific attention given to their impact on sexuality and sexual functioning. Each lecture was followed by an open discussion among the lecturers (a physician, a sexual therapist and a social worker) and the participants, in which problems were discussed and possible solutions were suggested. The intervention was evaluated using a set of self-report inventories that were completed by all participants at the 1st session and following the 3rd one. Results: Satisfaction was reported to be high in scales? Ranking (maybe that's what you mean?) with regard to interpersonal empowerment, including couplehood, sexuality, sexual functioning, coping with side-effects, and medical knowledge. Frustration was reported seeing as this support was not provided prior to treatment. Conclusion: An information-group with female colorectal cancer patients is an important intervention modality and should be offered to all women in order to enhance their quality of life.
Key words: colorectal cancer, pelvic radiation