What Women Want: Radical Cystectomy and Perioperative Sexual Function Educational Needs

Authors

Mary E. Westerman, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Kelly K. Bree, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Andrea Kokorovic, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Jane Frank, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Xin Shelly Wang, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Ashish M. Kamat, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Colin P. Dinney, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Neema Navai, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-1-2021

Publication Title

Urology

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the extent and adequacy of pre-operative sexual function (SF) counseling in females undergoing radical cystectomy (RC) and develop educational material to improve identified deficits. METHODS: A 10-question survey was electronically delivered to all females who underwent RC at a single institution between 2015 and 2020. 23 of 145 patients responded (15.9%). In addition, women on the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN) patient discussion board were also queried. The primary outcome was the development of a patient educational handout based on patient perception of pre-operative SF counseling and self-reported changes in post-operative SF. RESULTS: 22 women, 84% of whom were sexually active, met the inclusion criteria. More than half (12/22, 54.5%) reported receiving no pre-operative counseling regarding possible SF changes while another 27.3% (6/22) received some counseling but desired more. Most women rated vaginal preservation as moderate to very important (17/22, 77.3%) and nearly all women noted at least one change in SF, most commonly dyspareunia (13/22, 59.1%). Most also desired more information regarding female sexual health. Separately, the BCAN discussion board was queried regarding patient preference for modality of pre-operative counseling. 77.8% (14/18) preferred a discussion with provider and 13/18 (72.2%) also wanted a written handout. CONCLUSIONS: Sexual dysfunction is prevalent following RC in women and many desire more pre-operative counseling, regardless of disease stage or receipt of chemotherapy. These findings supported our development of interventions to improve pre-operative education as well as strategies to address post-operative SF changes, such as dyspareunia.

First Page

181

Last Page

187

DOI

10.1016/j.urology.2021.06.012

Recommended Citation

Westerman, Mary E.; Bree, Kelly K.; Kokorovic, Andrea; Frank, Jane; Wang, Xin Shelly; Kamat, Ashish M.; Dinney, Colin P.; and Navai, Neema, "What Women Want: Radical Cystectomy and Perioperative Sexual Function Educational Needs" (2021). LSU-LCMC Cancer Center Faculty Publications. 11.
https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/llcc_facpubs/11
10.1016/j.urology.2021.06.012