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. 2025 Jul 28;33(8):724.
doi: 10.1007/s00520-025-09790-2.

Developing a patient-centered educational video series on sexual health for women with breast cancer

Monica Adams  1   2 , Madeline G Higgins  3 , Sudheer R Vemuru  3 , Victoria Huynh  3 , Helen L Coons  4 , Erin Baurle  5 , Kristin E Rojas  6 , Karen Hampanda  7 , Lauren Zimmaro  5 , Ashley Arkema  3 , Laura Bozzuto  8 , Elizabeth Fleagle  5 , Kimberly Makela  5 , Keith Singer  9 , Sarah E Tevis  3
Affiliations

Developing a patient-centered educational video series on sexual health for women with breast cancer

Monica Adams et al. Support Care Cancer. .

Abstract

Purpose: Although breast cancer negatively impacts many patients' sexual health, clinician-provided sexual health educational materials are lacking. This study describes the novel development of educational materials intended to prepare patients for the potential sexual health side effects of their treatment.

Methods: Based on focus group results, educational scripts and video segments were created to provide sexual health and general breast cancer education. The content was iteratively modified through collaboration among patients, breast surgeons, medical oncologists, plastic surgeons, sexual health psychologists, and registered nurses. The understandability of the videos was tested among previous focus group participants.

Results: Script feedback. A multidisciplinary team developed the initial video scripts. Patients (n = 2) and an external clinical expert (n = 1) provided feedback on the scripts in semi-structured interviews. Patients recommended changes in terminology and additional content on body image. The clinical expert recommended additional content on arousal, prevention of sexually transmitted infections, and body image. Video-based educational materials. A non-profit organization began filming videos in Fall 2022 and completed filming in Summer 2023. In total, 56 videos were filmed (79 min, 15 s of content, 01:25 mean duration). Speakers included patients, clinicians, sexual health experts, and advocates. Video feedback. The multidisciplinary development team reviewed the videos and recommended reorganizing video segments, changing stock video clips, and simplifying complex terminology. Additional filming to incorporate feedback was completed in May 2023. PEMAT-A/V. Overall, the videos had an understandability score of 93.9 ± 4.7. Individual subscales also had favorable understandability scores > 88.9.

Conclusions: We developed a novel educational video series for patients undergoing breast cancer treatment. The initial testing of this video-based intervention highlights its potential to enhance knowledge and improve quality of life for the millions of women living with breast cancer by addressing critical aspects of sexual health. Further work to evaluate the feasibility, appropriateness, and acceptability of this video-based intervention to improve sexual health in breast cancer patients is necessary.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Patient-centered care; Sexual health education; Video-based intervention.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Conflict of interest: Kristin E. Rojas: Consultant Roche Diagnostic Solutions Speaker Honoraria Pacira Pharmaceuticals Research Funding Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation -None are related to the current work.

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