(117) EVALUATING THE USE OF THE FEMALE SEXUAL HEALTH AFTER CANCER SCREENING CHECKLIST WITH YOUNG ADULT CANCER SURVIVORS
Authors: Chevalier L , Mccormick K , Bice B , Recklitis C J , Bober S L 
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Sexual health, a key component of general well-being and quality of life, is often significantly disrupted by cancer treatment. In particular, when patients undergo cancer treatment early in life, disruptions to physical, sexual, and social development can have a considerable impact on sexual health by the time survivors reach young adulthood. However, extant sexual health measures are primarily intended for sexually active adults and do not accurately capture the range of sexual health concerns experienced by young adult cancer survivors (YACS). In order to provide comprehensive sexual health screening and care for this vulnerable population, measures must be developed specifically for young survivors. This study represents a critical next step in measure development for YACS: evaluating the utility and gaps of an existing sexual health screening checklist for cancer survivors.

Objective

To elicit feedback from female YACS regarding how the Female Sexual Health After Cancer Checklist captures their sexual health concerns as well as how the checklist may be updated for this population.

Methods

Cognitive interviews were conducted with 17 female YACS (ages 23-39). Participants were presented with the Female Sexual Health After Cancer Checklist and asked to provide feedback on each item. Specifically, Willis’s Concurrent Verbal Probing Technique was used to gather information on relevance of each item to YACS, item comprehension, item acceptability, decision processes, and response processes. For example, participants were asked whether the checklist items accurately captured their sexual health concerns (i.e., response processes).

Results

Overall, young adult participants reported that checklist items were relevant to their sexual health concerns. However, several participants noted wording for two items seemed to assess change in symptoms after cancer (e.g., “decreased vaginal lubrication”) which is difficult for YACS to answer if their cancer occurred prior to becoming sexually active. More broadly, participants reported that the checklist failed to capture many of their most pressing concerns (e.g., delays in sexual and romantic experience). Additionally, participants felt it would be important to assess barriers to sexual and romantic relationships such as negative body image and difficulty explaining cancer history to a prospective partner. Sexually inactive participants, in particular, noted adding items about barriers to sexual and romantic relationships would make the checklist more applicable to them.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that existing measures, such as the Female Sexual Health After Cancer Checklist, may be a starting point for a targeted YACS’ sexual health measure. However, revision and addition of items is necessary to fully capture the needs of this younger population. As a next step, we are currently amending items based on participant feedback. For example, items implying change after cancer (e.g., “decreased vaginal lubrication”) will be updated to focus on current symptoms (e.g., “vaginal dryness”) to better apply to YACS who were treated before sexual debut. Items capturing delays in sexual and romantic experience will also be added. Revised and new items will then be gathered into an item pool for further revision by YACS and sexual health experts as part of the process of creating and validating a YACS’ specific sexual health measure.

Disclosure

No.