title: The sexual health of female rectal and anal cancer survivors: results of a pilot randomized psycho-educational intervention trial.
abstract: Sexual dysfunction is a frequently reported consequence of rectal/anal cancer treatment for female patients.
  
  
  
  The purpose of this study was to conduct a small randomized controlled trial to assess the efficacy of a telephone-based, four-session Cancer Survivorship Intervention-Sexual Health (CSI-SH).
  
  
  
  Participants (N = 70) were stratified by chemotherapy, stoma, and menopause statuses before randomization to CSI-SH or assessment only (AO). Participants were assessed at baseline, 4 months (follow-up 1), and 8 months (follow-up 2).
  
  
  
  The intervention had medium effect sizes from baseline to follow-up 1, which decreased by follow-up 2. Effect sizes were larger among the 41 sexually active women. Unadjusted means at the follow-ups were not significantly different between the treatment arms. Adjusting for baseline scores, demographics, and medical variables, the intervention arm had significantly better emotional functioning at follow-ups 1 and 2 and less cancer-specific stress at follow-up 1 compared to the AO arm.
  
  
  
  The data supported the hypothesized effects on improved sexual and psychological functioning and quality of life in CSI-SH female rectal/anal cancer survivors compared to the AO condition. This pilot study (N = 70) of CSI-SH supported the impact of this intervention on sexual and psychological functioning and quality of life on rectal and anal cancer survivors compared with an AO condition. However, intervention effects were stronger at follow-up 1 as compared to follow-up 2 and were stronger for sexually active women.
  
  
  
  Women may benefit from a brief, four-session, sexual health intervention after treatment from rectal and anal cancer.
authors.affiliation: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA. duhamelk@mskcc.org.
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: DuHamel
authors.affiliation: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.|Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Tammy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schuler
authors.affiliation: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.affiliation: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Errol
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Philip
authors.affiliation: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Larissa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Temple
authors.affiliation: University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Leslie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Schover
authors.affiliation: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Raymond E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Baser
authors.affiliation: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Tatiana D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Starr
authors.affiliation: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cannon
authors.affiliation: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jennings
authors.affiliation: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai School, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Lina
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jandorf
authors.affiliation: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Jeanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Carter
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001005:Anus Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods; D011788:Quality of Life; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D060728:Reproductive Health; D012736:Sex Education / Q000379:methods; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D015996:Survival Rate; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D013689:Telephone
keywords: Anal cancer; Female; Psychological distress; Rectal cancer; Sexual dysfunction