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Baseline characteristics and concerns of female cancer patients/survivors seeking treatment at a Female Sexual Medicine Program

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to characterize patients seeking treatment at a Female Sexual Medicine and Women’s Health Program and examine their sexual/vaginal health issues.

Methods

Data from clinical assessment forms were extracted from 509 women referred to the Female Sexual Medicine and Women’s Health Program during/after cancer treatment. The form consists of a Vaginal Assessment Scale (VAS), vaginal health items, patient-reported outcomes (PROs) (Sexual Activity Questionnaire [SAQ], Sexual Self-Schema Scale [SSS], Female Sexual Function Index [FSFI]), and exploratory items.

Results

Of 509 patients, 493 (97 %) completed PROs; 253 (50 %) received a pelvic examination. The majority had a history of breast (n = 260, 51 %), gynecologic (n = 184, 36 %), or colorectal/anal (n = 35, 7 %) cancer. Mean age was 51.2 years; 313 (62 %) were married/partnered. Approximately two thirds had elevated vaginal pH scores (5–6.5 [35 %] or 6.5+ [33 %]) and minimal (62 %) or no (5 %) vaginal moisture. Eighty-seven patients (44 %) experienced pain during their exam (23 % mild, 11 % moderate, 1.5 % severe, and 8.5 % not indicated). Fifty-three percent engaged in sexual activity with a partner; only 43 % felt confident about future sexual activity. Ninety-three percent were somewhat to very concerned/worried about sexual function/vaginal health. Approximately half had moderate/severe dryness (n = 133, 51 %) and dyspareunia (n = 120, 46 %). The mean SSS score was 60.7, indicating a slightly positive sexual self-view. However, 93.5 % (n = 429) had an FSFI score <26.55, suggesting sexual dysfunction.

Conclusions

At initial consult, women reported vaginal dryness, pain, and sexual dysfunction. For many women, pelvic exams showed elevated vaginal pH, lack of moisture, and discomfort with the exam itself. Future analyses will examine changes over time.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to gratefully acknowledge and thank Dr. Larry Norton and Dr. Richard Barakat for their generous and continual support of the clinical care and research endeavors of the Female Sexual Medicine and Women’s Health Program.

Conflict of interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. The authors also have full control of all primary data and agree to allow the journal to review the data if requested.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Gynecology Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA

    Jeanne Carter, Cara Stabile, Barbara Seidel, Abigail R. Gunn, Stephanie Chi & Deborah J. Goldfrank

  2. Psychiatry Service, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA

    Jeanne Carter

  3. Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA

    Jeanne Carter

  4. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA

    Raymond E. Baser

  5. Survivorship Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA

    Rebecca F. Steed

  6. Breast Cancer Medicine Service, Division of Solid Tumor Oncology, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA

    Shari Goldfarb

  7. Health Outcomes Research Group, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA

    Shari Goldfarb

  8. Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA

    Shari Goldfarb

  9. Department of OB/GYN, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA

    Deborah J. Goldfrank

Authors
  1. Jeanne Carter
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  2. Cara Stabile
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  3. Barbara Seidel
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  4. Raymond E. Baser
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  5. Abigail R. Gunn
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  6. Stephanie Chi
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  7. Rebecca F. Steed
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  8. Shari Goldfarb
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  9. Deborah J. Goldfrank
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jeanne Carter.

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Carter, J., Stabile, C., Seidel, B. et al. Baseline characteristics and concerns of female cancer patients/survivors seeking treatment at a Female Sexual Medicine Program. Support Care Cancer 23, 2255–2265 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-014-2573-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-014-2573-9

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