Female Sexual Dysfunction Intervention

Summary

The goal of this psychosocial research study is to learn whether a website program called "Tendrils: Sexual Renewal for Women after Cancer " may help female cancer survivors improve their sex lives when used either as a self-help tool or in combination with brief sexual counseling by a health care professional.

Objectives:

Sexual dysfunction is the most common long-term consequence of cancer treatment, affecting half of survivors of breast and gynecological cancer and many women treated for other cancers. Yet, few women get the help they need for sexual problems. Our primary objective is to develop and evaluate a multimedia intervention program for women with cancer-related sexual dysfunction. Tendrils: A Sexual Renewal Program for Women Surviving Cancer will: 1) explain the causes of cancer-related sexual dysfunction; 2) offer self-help strategies to prevent or overcome problems; 3) advise women on seeking appropriate medical help; and 4) possibly serve as the core of a counseling program, along with a therapist manual. Tendrils is aimed at a wide audience, from newly diagnosed to long-term survivors, across cancer sites. Material will be presented with sensitivity to religious and cultural attitudes about sexuality. Animations will illustrate anatomy and physiology. The software will let women use Tendrils in a variety of formats: over the internet, on a CD-Rom, printed out, or as downloaded digital video or audio on a handheld computer or media player. Video vignettes will illustrate problems and strategies. Five female cancer survivors will host the program, sharing their experiences.

Conditions

• Sexual Dysfunction

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Focus Group

To evaluate a multimedia intervention program for women with cancer-related sexual dysfunction.

BEHAVIORAL

TENDRILS

Tendrils: A Sexual Renewal Program for Women Surviving Cancer - a website designed to give women information about sexual problems related to cancer and its treatment, and the website suggests ways to overcome those problems.

BEHAVIORAL

Questionnaires

The questionnaires ask about your background (such as age, education, relationships), your cancer diagnosis and treatment, and the quality of your life in terms of your health, your general emotions, and your sexual function. The questionnaires take about 30-45 minutes to complete.

BEHAVIORAL

Sexual Counseling Sessions

Attend 3 sexual counseling sessions at M. D. Anderson.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Cancer Institute (NCI)

  collaborator NIH

• M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Leslie R Schover, PhD · M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2007-10-31

Primary Completion

2013-08-31

Completion

2013-08-31

Countries

• United States

Study Locations