Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 3, 2025

Competing-Risk Nomogram for Predicting Cancer-Specific Survival in Multiple Primary Colorectal Cancer Patients after Surgery
Published on: September 27, 2024
Examining Associations Among Sexual Health, Unmet Care Needs, and Distress in Breast and Gynecologic Cancer Survivors
Catherine Benedict1, Sophie Fisher2, Dhanya Kumar3
1Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA; Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford, CA.
Objectives:
This study evaluated breast and gynecologic cancer patients' sexual function, unmet needs related to sexuality, and distress.
Data Sources:
Secondary analyses of a cross-sectional survey study evaluated measures of sexual function (Female Sexual Function Index [FSFI]), unmet needs (Supportive Care Needs Scale), and distress (Patient Health Questionnaire). χ2 test, t tests, and analysis of variances (ANOVAs) tested bivariate relationships. Subgroup comparisons were made based on the Female Sexual Function Index sexual dysfunction diagnostic cut-off score (<26.55; lower scores indicate greater dysfunction). A regression model tested associations between sexual function and unmet needs with distress as the outcome variable.
Conclusion:
Clinically significant sexual dysfunction was common in this cohort of women. In multivariate modeling, worse sexual function and greater unmet sexuality needs related to greater distress. Future work should explore reasons behind the high levels of sexual dysfunction and unmet needs in female survivors.
Implications For Nursing Practice:
It is important to routinely screen for sexual health concerns among female cancer survivors at all phases of the cancer trajectory including years posttreatment.
Related Concept Videos
Disorders of the Female Reproductive System
Cancer Survival Analysis
Nursing Assessment of the Genitourinary System I: Health History
Psychoneuroimmunology: Diabetes and Cancer
Disorders of the Male Reproductive System
Prostate disorders are another major concern. These conditions can impair urinary flow due to the prostate's location around the urethra....
Barriers to Effective Communication II
Cultural barriers:
Differences in values, beliefs, religion, knowledge, and tradition can significantly impact communication. Awareness of nonverbal cues is critical, especially when conversing with a patient from a different culture. What appears appropriate in one culture may be inappropriate in another.
Semantic barriers:
As a result of their tendency to use...

