title: Sexual issues among cervical cancer survivors: how can we help women seek help?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Many women treated for cervical cancer (CC) report sexual complaints and sexual distress. It is important to assess these women's and their partners' sexual healthcare needs. This study aims to (a) investigate the prevalence of psychosexual healthcare needs and help-seeking behaviour among CC survivors, (b) identify the association between psychosocial variables and help-seeking intentions among CC survivors and (c) assess survivors' and partners' preferences regarding psychosexual healthcare services.
  
  
  METHODS
  A multicentre cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted in a cohort of women with a history of CC (n=343, mean age=48.7), and their partners (n=154, mean age=50.8). Questions concerned professional healthcare needs, help-seeking behaviour, help-seeking intentions and preferences regarding sexual healthcare services. Furthermore, the questionnaire assessed social cognitive variables related to help-seeking intentions. Data were analysed with multivariate linear regression analyses with future help-seeking intention as an outcome variable.
  
  
  RESULTS
  About 51% of the women reported a need for information and/or professional help, although only 35% of these women had initiated a conversation with a professional about sexuality. Women considering sexual functioning important, expecting relief from seeking help, perceiving social support to seek help and having positive beliefs about the quality of professional psychosexual support had higher help-seeking intentions. Women who were embarrassed to discuss sexual issues with a professional were less likely to seek help. Most participants would appreciate receiving information about sexuality and CC.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Many CC survivors have psychosexual healthcare needs, although few seek professional help. Women and their partners should be facilitated in accessing sexual healthcare services.
authors: Department of Gynaecology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors: Willemijn M
authors: WM
authors: Vermeer
authors: Rinske M
authors: RM
authors: Bakker
authors: Gemma G
authors: GG
authors: Kenter
authors: Cor D
authors: CD
authors: de Kroon
authors: Anne M
authors: AM
authors: Stiggelbout
authors: Moniek M
authors: MM
authors: ter Kuile
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D060728:Reproductive Health; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology; D019529:Sexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: cancer; cancer survivorship; oncology; sexual healthcare needs; sexual rehabilitation