Sexual quality of life after gynaecological cancer: what young women want.

Abstract

Psychosexual distress is known to be a common complication of treatment for gynaecological cancer (GC), affecting the sexual quality of life (SQoL) for an increasing number of young gynaecological cancer survivors (YGCS). The SQoL in YGCS study aimed to identify strategies that are acceptable and helpful to YGCS in protecting and improving SQoL, using a salutogenic approach. A qualitative study was undertaken with young women aged 18-45 and pre- or perimenopausal at diagnosis. Semi-structured interviews were conducted on Zoom and a thematic analysis of transcripts was completed in NVivo. Fifteen interviews with YGCS revealed three themes for strategy development: psychosexual education, psychosocial support, and healthcare policy and strategy to establish SQoL as standard care in gynaecologic oncology. The strategies put forward by YGCS showed the need for a holistic, patient-centric, and multidisciplinary approach to SQoL. A better understanding of the strategies acceptable to YGCS, including the importance of using a trauma-informed approach to communication and care, can help healthcare providers play a vital role in protecting and improving SQoL.