Couple Sexuality After Treatment for Colerectal Cancer and Adaptation to an Ostomy: Bridging the Divide Between Needs, Recommendations, and Treatment

Objective: Over the course of three sequential qualitative studies, this investigation aims to better understand and support couples sexual adjustment following ostomy surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC).

Method: Study 1 consists of a grounded theory analysis of interviews with 11 couples about their sexual adjustment. Study 2 presents an embedded-case study of a novel online intervention to facilitate conversations within couples about the sexual changes they have experienced following the ostomy and CRC. The analysis uses post-treatment interview transcripts with two couples and facilitator observations as sources of data. Study 3 entails a thematic analysis of interviews with 11 healthcare providers (HCPs) about the barriers to engaging couples in a trial of the same online intervention, following challenges in recruitment.

Results: In study 1, results point to a natural resiliency of couples to adjust to sexual changes imposed by the ostomy and CRC, at least to some degree, and yet the need for HCPs to offer support to couples around these concerns. Results of study 2 reveal several avenues for future development of the program and provide preliminary information about the interventions acceptability and feasibility. In study 3, results describe several barriers to recruitment at the level of the system, HCP, patient, and intervention.

Discussion: As a collection these studies underscore the complexity of the sexual health needs of this relatively underserved cancer population and their partners, while simultaneously offering a brief approach to intervention that may support these couples sexual adjustment and shedding light on the barriers that need overcoming to conduct research in this area.