Sexual Behaviors and Intimate Relationships of Sexual Partners of Young Patients with Early-Stage Cervical Cancer: A Qualitative Study

PURPOSE: This study aimed to explore the sexual behaviors and intimate relationships of sexual partners of young patients with cervical cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study employed a descriptive phenomenological research design, which falls within the realm of qualitative research methods. Qualitative research typically utilizes interview techniques for gathering participants’ experiences, perceptions, and behaviors. This study conduct face-to-face semi-structured interviews with the sexual partners of 15 young cervical cancer patients receiving cancer treatment to collect their experiences and perspectives on intimate relationships and sexual behavior with cervical cancer patients, and use the Colaizzi method for data analysis. RESULTS: Four themes were identified through the interview analysis: (1) reduction or absence of sexual behavior, (2) unpleasant sexual experiences, (3) adjustment of intimate relationships, and (4) lack of sexual health education. CONCLUSION: The sexual partners of young cervical cancer patients have experienced significant shifts in their perspectives on sexual behavior and intimate relationships. These changes include reduction or absence of sexual behavior, unpleasant sexual experiences, adjustment of intimate relationships, and lack of sexual health education. Hospitals should pay more attention to the sexual behavior and intimate relationships of patients with cervical cancer and their sexual partners, and social support systems and psychological and emotional counselling services should be established for providing relevant knowledge and guidance.