Sexual Health Counseling Intervention During Radiation Therapy in Improving Quality of Life for Women With Gynecologic Cancer

Counseling Intervention During Radiation Therapy for Women With Gynecologic Cancer

This phase I trial studies a sexual health counseling intervention during radiation therapy in improving quality of life for women with gynecologic cancer. Women with gynecologic cancer often suffer long-term complications from treatment that can affect their physical and psychological well-being. An early sexual health counseling intervention prior to and after radiation may improve symptoms management and reduce the physical and psychological effects of treatment.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:

I. To determine the feasibility of a sexual health counseling intervention before and after pelvic radiation for women with gynecologic cancers.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVE:

I. To preliminarily evaluate the efficacy of a sexual health counseling intervention on patient reported outcomes in quality of life, sexual function, and genitourinary symptoms.

OUTLINE:

Patients receive sexual health counseling prior to starting and at the completion of radiation.

After completion of study, patients are followed up at 1 and 6 months after radiation.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Any patient with endometrial, cervical, vaginal, or vulvar cancer receiving adjuvant external beam radiation or definitive external beam radiation and brachytherapy will be eligible for the study
• Those receiving concurrent chemotherapy will be eligible
• Any prior gynecologic surgery is permitted

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with metastatic or recurrent disease and patients receiving brachytherapy alone