Abstract D058: Truth Talking Tour: Women’s sexuality after cancer

Abstract

Abstract Background Due in part to advances in diagnosis, treatment, and early detection the number of cancer survivors in the United States is growing with an estimated 16.9 million cancer survivors and projected to increase to 21.7 million by 2029. Among the current survivor population, 8.8 million are female. Disparities in survivorship care exist, including poorer health outcomes related to sexual health impairment and stress from financial toxicity of cancer. A larger proportion of African American (AA) breast and colorectal cancer survivors experience issues related to lack of resources and information related to sexuality after cancer. The impact of breast cancer on sexuality among women is often examined, yet limited research has been conducted with AA survivors of other cancers such as colorectal cancer. Cultural considerations such as religion/spirituality and body image should be included in interventions addressing psychosocial needs of female AA cancer survivors. The Truth Talking Tour: Women’s Sexuality after Cancer was created by community stakeholders to give women a safe space to talk about sexuality and cancer. Methods The University of Illinois Patient Brigade convened a cohort of patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR) “ready” advocates to engage in desired training, guide center leadership activities and inform research tools/dissemination strategies that can inform PCOR. The Truth Talking Tour was developed by Patient Brigade cancer advocacy leaders for women in any stage of their cancer survivorship and included active participation from community members and health care providers. Results Thirty-nine women attended the workshop held in Spring 2019 at a community location on the Southside of Chicago. All survey respondents were AA, age range from 40 to 68, age at cancer diagnosis ranged from 25 to 63. Pre/post survey was conducted to explore impact of the convening on knowledge, priorities and needs of AA female cancer survivors. Results demonstrated that AA female cancer survivors see convening with other survivors and clinician experts as important and missing from current efforts. Results also showed that women with a cancer diagnosis are physically and psychologically challenged in their fight against cancer and face challenges with sexual identities currently unmet by survivorship care plans. Priority areas that emerged included lack of resources, lack of knowledge of providers, and lack of culturally tailored interventions for AA female cancer survivors. Conclusions The Truth Talking Tour survey data demonstrated additional research is needed to assess the needs of AA female cancer survivors impacted by lack of data on sexuality after cancer. Feasibility of the convening demonstrated that community-academic partnerships rooted in dialogue and data may be a great way to inform future interventions to improve sexuality after cancer among AA women. The community stakeholders leading the Truth Talking Tour have planned additional tours in the south, west and east coast. Citation Format: Candace Henley, Joanne Glenn, Vida Henderson, Jacqueline Kanoon, Melissa Simon, Susan Hong, Karriem S Watson. Truth Talking Tour: Women’s sexuality after cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Twelfth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2019 Sep 20-23; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(6 Suppl_2):Abstract nr D058.