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Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Supporting practitioners to talk about sexual wellness and pleasure during radiotherapy for gynaecological cancer
AU - Ashmore, Lisa
AU - Eastham, Rachael
AU - Hadley, Olivia
AU - Hanbury, Ali
AU - Singleton, Vicky
PY - 2024/9/12
Y1 - 2024/9/12
N2 - Introduction: Radiotherapy treatment for gynaecological cancer has significant negative effects on sexual wellness and pleasure (1–3). Patients undergoing radiotherapy for gynaecological cancers have more sexual dysfunction and experience more sexual and depressive symptoms than those who undergo surgery alone (4). The World Health Organization defines sexual health as a crucial part of health and wellbeing and recognizes the importance of positive and respectful approaches to sexuality, alongside safe and pleasurable sexual experiences free from violence and coercion (5). Methods: Taking a sex critical approach to sexual wellness and pleasure, this project aimed to support practitioners to have improved and impactful conversations with people receiving radiotherapy treatment for gynaecological cancers. A series of three professional development workshops were held to explore language, unpack assumptions and develop key competencies for practitioners. A fourth workshop involved co-development of resources for use by other practitioners. Results: The group united, sharing insights, learning, and developing practices through reflection developing critical awareness about damaging silences around sexual wellness and pleasure. Co-created resources included conversation cards and a poster. Conclusion: The project aimed to build and extend research findings to develop practitioner skills in supporting sexual wellness and pleasure for people receiving gynae-radiotherapy. The study shows the benefits of discussing norms and harms associated with biomedically focused conversations in gynae-radiotherapy to acknowledge diversity and validate concerns about sexual wellbeing and pleasure. Implications for practice: A sex critical approach to sexual wellness and pleasure should be considered a core principle of care for patients during their treatment for gynaecological cancers. Conversations are a key (free) resource within the practitioner-patient relationship that can address and improve patients’ psychosocial wellbeing.
AB - Introduction: Radiotherapy treatment for gynaecological cancer has significant negative effects on sexual wellness and pleasure (1–3). Patients undergoing radiotherapy for gynaecological cancers have more sexual dysfunction and experience more sexual and depressive symptoms than those who undergo surgery alone (4). The World Health Organization defines sexual health as a crucial part of health and wellbeing and recognizes the importance of positive and respectful approaches to sexuality, alongside safe and pleasurable sexual experiences free from violence and coercion (5). Methods: Taking a sex critical approach to sexual wellness and pleasure, this project aimed to support practitioners to have improved and impactful conversations with people receiving radiotherapy treatment for gynaecological cancers. A series of three professional development workshops were held to explore language, unpack assumptions and develop key competencies for practitioners. A fourth workshop involved co-development of resources for use by other practitioners. Results: The group united, sharing insights, learning, and developing practices through reflection developing critical awareness about damaging silences around sexual wellness and pleasure. Co-created resources included conversation cards and a poster. Conclusion: The project aimed to build and extend research findings to develop practitioner skills in supporting sexual wellness and pleasure for people receiving gynae-radiotherapy. The study shows the benefits of discussing norms and harms associated with biomedically focused conversations in gynae-radiotherapy to acknowledge diversity and validate concerns about sexual wellbeing and pleasure. Implications for practice: A sex critical approach to sexual wellness and pleasure should be considered a core principle of care for patients during their treatment for gynaecological cancers. Conversations are a key (free) resource within the practitioner-patient relationship that can address and improve patients’ psychosocial wellbeing.
KW - Gynaecological cancer
KW - Patient care
KW - Pleasure
KW - Professional development
KW - Radiotherapy
KW - Sexual wellness
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85197045253&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.radi.2024.06.012
DO - 10.1016/j.radi.2024.06.012
M3 - Journal article
VL - 30
SP - 1411
EP - 1417
JO - Radiography
JF - Radiography
SN - 1078-8174
IS - 5
ER -