Cancer-related Problem/Condition, Fertility, Sexuality
Conditions
Keywords
Sexual Dysfunction, Fertility Disorders, Cancer
Brief summary
Concerns with sexual health and fertility are common among cancer patients, survivors and their partners. Literature reviews suggest that over 60% of survivors have reproductive health problems yet fewer than 20% get professional help. This study will test the uptake, use and effectiveness of online, interactive self-help programs for men and women with cancer. Participants in the study will receive up to 6 months of access to the self-help programs without charge. Navigation through the programs can be personalized by setting goals and following links to the most relevant information. The programs cover all cancer sites and common treatments, explaining sexual and fertility side effects. Programs also include step-by-step cognitive behavioral self-help exercises, guidance on available medical treatment options, decision aids, and video stories with actual survivors as well as vignettes with actors. Information for same-sex couples is included. Programs include suggestions on how partners can work together to cope with sexual or fertility issues. The primary hypothesis is that participants will report improvements in sexual function and satisfaction from baseline to 3-month follow-up. Secondary hypotheses will investigate whether more extensive use of the program is associated with better outcomes (dose-response effect) and whether the intervention also improves secondary outcomes such as anxiety, depression, relationship satisfaction, and seeking medical help. Analyses from the data will investigate how many people who are informed of the study decide to participate (uptake), as well as how often participants visit the program and which parts are used most. Both the male and female programs have previously been shown to help cancer survivors and partners in published clinical trials. Participants will be encouraged to invite a sexual partner to join the study, but that will be optional. Partners will be able to be linked for statistical analysis through their unique study identification numbers. Participants' use of the websites will be electronically tracked and compared with questionnaire outcome measures. Outcome measures include online, self-report questionnaires completed at baseline and 3-month follow-up. At 6-month follow-up, participants will complete 2 online ratings of the helpfulness of the programs. Privacy and security are carefully protected. The entire website meets standards for HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). Questionnaires are identified with study numbers rather than names or email addresses. Once the study data are analyzed, the list linking participant identifying information (names, email) and study numbers will be destroyed. Any publications resulting from the study will discuss group data and will not contain any information that could be used to identify an individual participant.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALOnline, interactive self-help program
Participants will receive access to the program, which provides: In-depth information specific to cancer sites and treatments, guidance on medical options for cancer-related sex or fertility problems, personalized goal-setting with progress tracking and relapse prevention, self-help exercises on overcoming sexual, relationship, and dating problems, videos of survivors' stories, and video vignettes with actors.
Sponsors
Will2Love, LLC
American Cancer Society, Inc.
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Has had a diagnosis of cancer or is the intimate partner of a cancer patient/survivor * Has a concern or wants to learn more about cancer-related issues with sexuality or fertility * Has a way to access the website and questionnaires on the internet
Exclusion criteria
* Younger than age 18 * Does not read and understand English well enough to use the website independently * Does not live in the United States * Potential participant has already subscribed to the male or female self-help program
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| PROMIS® (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System) Brief Sexual Profile v2 Male | Change from baseline to 3 months post consent | Construct: Sexual function and satisfaction in men; Total Score Range: 0-33; Higher values represent a better outcome |
| PROMIS® (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System) Brief Sexual Profile v2 Female | Change from baseline to 3 months post consent | Construct: Sexual function and satisfaction in women; Total Score Range: 0-49; Higher values represent a better outcome |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| PROMIS® (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System) Brief Anxiety Scale | Change from baseline to 3 months post consent | Construct: General anxiety level; Total Score Range: 0-16; Higher scores represent a worse outcome |
| PROMIS® (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System) Brief Depression Scale | Change from baseline to 3 months post consent | Construct: Depressed Mood; Total Score Range: 0-16; Higher scores represent a worse outcome |
| Abbreviated Dyadic Adjustment Scale-4 | Change from baseline to 3 months post consent | Construct: Relationship happiness; Total Score Range: 0-21; Higher scores represent a better outcome |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed