Let's Talk About Sex: An Acceptable, Appropriate and Feasible Online Sexual Health Educational Video Series for Breast Cancer Patients.

PURPOSE

Sexual health-related side effects during breast cancer treatment are common and distressing but not always expected by patients. We created an online sexual health educational video series to increase patients' awareness of these issues. In this exploratory study, we aimed to evaluate the acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of the video series among newly diagnosed breast cancer patients.

METHODS

Eligible and interested patients completed a baseline questionnaire within one month of diagnosis or surgical evaluation. Enrolled participants accessed the online sexual health video series. A follow-up questionnaire evaluating acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility was administered after 6-months. Descriptive statistics and paired t-tests were utilized.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight participants (January-June 2024) with mean age of 48 years (±8 years) comprised the present analysis. Eighty-six percent were White, 4% Hispanic, 89% straight/heterosexual, 86% married/partnered, and 68% were stage I at diagnosis. Eleven participants (39%) completed the 6-month survey, and nine participants reported watching the online videos. Nearly all completely agreed or agreed that the video series was acceptable (mean 4.1 [±1.0]), appropriate (mean 4.3 [± 0.7]), and feasible (mean 4.4 [±0.7]). Qualitative feedback showed strong endorsement for the video series and offered suggested improvements.

CONCLUSION

Breast cancer patients lack access to sexual health resources during treatment, but an online educational video series is acceptable, appropriate, and feasible to utilize. This video series fills a unique gap in patient care, and with further iterations and development has the potential to significantly advance the sexual health resources available to breast cancer patients and survivors.