The sexual health concerns and sexual health education needs of adolescents with cancer

Abstract

Background: International studies have highlighted that having cancer during childhood and adolescence can impact on a persons‟ psychosexual development and sexual functioning. Cancer survivors report a need for further education and support in regard to their sexual health and fertility. However, the existing knowledge stems largely from retrospective studies documenting the accounts of survivors of cancer during childhood and adolescence, and very few studies have explored the sexual health concerns and sexual health education needs of young people who are currently receiving active cancer treatment. Aim: To explore the sexual health concerns of young people living with cancer in New Zealand. To explore young people with cancers perceptions and experiences of, and access to sexual health education, and identify their sexual health education needs. Methods: Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted with eight adolescents, aged between 16 and 21 years who were on active treatment for cancer. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using a general inductive approach. Results: The findings show that adolescents on active cancer treatment report considerable concern about the impact of their diagnosis and treatment on their ability to socialise with peers and maintain romantic relationships. Participants wanted to be told by their healthcare team whether sexual activity was safe during treatment and be informed of the potential sexual side effects of their cancer treatment. Participants raised questions surrounding the prevention of pregnancy, along with concerns surrounding their fertility and ability to have healthy offspring in the future. They believed that the provision of sexual health education to adolescents with cancer would be extremely beneficial and assist in allaying a young person‟s concern and anxiety surrounding sexual health. Conclusion: This study describes the sexual health concerns, sexual health education needs and sexual health care needs of adolescents on active treatment for cancer. The findings show that sexual health and fertility are important to young people with cancer and that their cancer diagnosis and treatment impacts on their ability to maintain their sexual health. The findings contribute to the existing evidence available in the international literature. This study supports the development of a sexual health education package and sexual health care approach that addresses the unique needs of adolescents with cancer.