Conference Proceedings - School of Nursing & Midwifery - Trinity ...

School of Nursing & Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin: 8 th Annual Interdisciplinary Research Conference
Transforming Healthcare Through Research, Education & Technology: 7 th – 9 th November 2007
Conference Proceedings
Sexuality
Despite a wealth of literature and an increasing quantity of research
about sexuality it is apparent from some of the comments on the
QOL questionnaires and made by patients during their interviews
that the subject of sexuality is avoided by health care professionals.
The RSCL QOL questionnaire was completed by all patients in this
study, but the section on decreased sexual activity was either
ignored by some patients or completed with a flippant comment
such as ’what sexual interest?’ or ‘it would be good to talk to
someone about it’ or ‘what’s that!’. Sexuality and sexual functioning
can be disrupted either by the psychological and physical effects of
cancer and its treatment at any stage of the illness. Even before the
confirmation of a diagnosis of cancer, the psychological and physical
effects of the illness can impinge upon a person’s sexuality.
Cancer can cause a loss of sexual desire throughout the illness
experience. Patients in this study described how they felt sexually
unattractive due to alopecia, mastectomies and nausea and
vomiting. These comments were generally responses from the
female patients and were usually volunteered when the patient’s
husband or partner were not present.
Cancer and its treatments can expose and emphasise previous
sexual and relationship difficulties. Most of the literature on ‘how to
help’ with sexual concerns comes from America which may suggest
that this is an issue which is either ignored or not considered
important enough to explore by health care professionals in the
United Kingdom and indeed this was reflected in the comments
made by some of the patients in this study. Although within society
today there is an expanding awareness of sexuality at all ages,
people still seem to experience difficulties in asking for information
or help with sexual concerns. One of the female patients
interviewed mentioned how she was concerned about the effect that
her treatment was having on her physical relationship with her
husband and that she would have welcomed an opportunity to
discuss it with a health care professional. Another patient
mentioned the fact that the chemotherapy nurses were always so
busy and that she did not want to waste their time over her ‘silly
relationship queries’. Nurses need support to discuss the difficulties
they experience both positively and negatively on sexual issues to
build confidence in this area so that they can support their patients
(Dennison 2001). Challenging the taboo of sexuality, and
overcoming the fears and embarrassment of talking about sexuality,
can be satisfying for the health care professional. Helping and
supporting patients to understand and cope with sexual concerns
enables the health care professional to cross the boundaries of
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