Improving Sexual Health in Gynecologic Cancer Patients
Overview
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Gynecologic Cancer
- Sponsor
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Enrollment
- 2
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Change in sexual dysfunction as measured by FSFI
- Status
- Terminated
- Last Updated
- 3 years ago
Overview
Brief Summary
This study seeks to find out if an early intervention of providing directed sexual health education and treatment for gynecologic cancer patients will improve patient outcomes as compared to routine clinic visits.
Detailed Description
Participants will be randomly placed to one of two groups. This random placement allows our research study to be more significant when the study team checks the results. In one group, the "control" group, participants will attend their usual clinic visits with their provider every 3 months for a year. At each clinic visit participants will be asked to fill out 3 short surveys (each takes less than 3 minutes). Participants will have a gynecologic exam like they routinely would for cancer surveillance, and confidential notes will be made regarding their exam to assess for improvement or worsening over time. In the other group, the "intervention" group, participants will attend one focused Sexual Health Clinic visit, where a provider specialized in sexual health for cancer patients will review a focused history and physical, and will provide education, as well as recommend any helpful treatments. This provider may or may not recommend follow up with her again after this initial visit. Participants will otherwise continue the usual every 3 month clinic visits with their Gynecologic Oncologist for a year. At each clinic visit participants will be asked to fill out 3 short surveys (each takes less than 3 minutes). Participants will have a gynecologic exam like they routinely would for cancer surveillance, and confidential notes will be made regarding their exam to assess for improvement or worsening over time. Participants will not need any additional blood draws or procedures. During their gynecologic exam, a swab will be collected to test participants vaginal pH - a test to see the health of their vaginal flora. In brief, participants will have their usual 4 clinic visits: one at 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months. At each visit, participants will fill out 3 surveys and have a gynecologic exam performed as they usually would, but with a vaginal swab for vaginal pH. This swab will be assessed in the clinic by their provider as the swab will change colors to show pH at the time of exam. This result will be noted in the participants' chart and the swab will be discarded.
Investigators
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •Able to consent
- •Screening positive for sexual health dysfunction as per baseline FSFI
- •Diagnosed with any gynecologic malignancy
- •It is acceptable to have received treatment prior to or during enrollment, including prior surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, hormonal therapy, or clinical trial.
Exclusion Criteria
- •Unable to speak English
- •Patients unable to consent
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Change in sexual dysfunction as measured by FSFI
Time Frame: At 3, 6, 9, and 12 months from start of treatment
Change in sexual function as measured by FSFI, a 19-question, standardized scale of female sexual function, validated in cancer survivors as compared to start of study.
Secondary Outcomes
- Change in sexual distress as measured by FSDS(At 3, 6, 9, and 12 months from start of treatment)
- Change in psychologic distress as measured by Kessler K10 Scale(At 3, 6, 9, and 12 months from start of treatment)
- Change in clinical assessment of vaginal symptoms as measured by VAS(At 3, 6, 9, and 12 months from start of treatment)
- Change in clinical assessment of vulvar symptoms as measured by VuAS(At 3, 6, 9, and 12 months from start of treatment)