Amanda Denes, a professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Connecticut (UConn), has initiated a pivotal pilot study funded by the National Cancer Institute. This research aims to explore the intricate relationships between communication and sexual, relational, and individual well-being for individuals diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.
Understanding Metastatic Breast Cancer
Metastatic breast cancer, also known as stage IV breast cancer, is characterized by the spread of cancerous cells beyond the breast to other organs. This late-stage diagnosis significantly impacts not only the physical health of patients but also their mental, emotional, and social well-being.
Denes, serving as the principal investigator at UConn’s Institute for Collaboration on Health, Intervention, and Policy (InCHIP), is particularly focused on how patients with metastatic breast cancer communicate with their partners regarding their sexual health, relational dynamics, and personal well-being. As part of the study, patients will participate in an online survey that addresses their relationship with their partner, the effects of cancer on their sexual relationship, and their communication patterns about these changes.
The Importance of Sexual Communication in Cancer Care
Denes emphasizes the often-overlooked need for sexual health discussions among patients with metastatic cancer, stating, “Despite the recognition that sexuality should be part of end-of-life care and is vital for couples with cancer to maintain connection, sexual needs are rarely assessed among metastatic cancer patients. Their needs for intimacy may be even stronger than before cancer, given the limited time and highly emotional experience of facing a terminal diagnosis.”
For couples, a cancer diagnosis can become a shared journey fraught with challenges as they navigate the changes in their lives together. The diagnosis can alter established communication patterns, roles, and responsibilities within the relationship. Although being in a committed partnership generally provides health benefits and enhances quality of life, couples facing cancer may encounter increased stress and communication breakdowns, which are significant contributors to relationship strain.
The Role of Constructive Communication
Research indicates that mutual, constructive communication is essential for alleviating psychological distress, fostering closeness, and improving relational outcomes. Particularly, discussing sexual health, despite potential reluctance, has been shown to be crucial for couples coping with cancer.
Denes notes, “Sex is one of the most frequently discussed topics among couples facing cancer, so there is evidence that talking about sex is important in this context.” While some studies have focused on the benefits of interventions aimed at enhancing sexual communication among patients with reproductive cancers, many neglect the experiences of individuals dealing with advanced cancers like metastatic breast cancer.
Collaboration for Deeper Insights
In her research, Denes is collaborating with Keith Bellizzi, a professor of gerontology in the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences. Bellizzi specializes in cancer survivorship and quality of life, including sexual function. Together, they aim to shed light on the psychosocial impacts of cancer on intimacy within couples, especially among women with metastatic breast cancer.
Their previous collaborations have explored communication about sexuality in the context of reproductive cancers, and they have conducted preliminary tests of the study’s survey tool. As Denes explains, “Identifying specific forms and features of talk that may help or hinder couples as they navigate intimacy in the context of metastatic breast cancer is a pivotal first step in understanding if and how communication can benefit individual and relational well-being.”
Expanding the Study
To broaden data collection, Denes and Bellizzi have received bridge funding from InCHIP, enabling them to survey an additional 200 participants and test their exploratory model. This foundational research will inform future grant applications and potentially pave the way for larger studies in this critical area.
Denes has a personal connection to this research, having witnessed the impact of cancer on the lives of friends and family members. “I have watched friends and family members battle cancer and experience changes to roles, relationships, and the communication that occurs within them. This has made me want to understand how couples facing cancer can successfully communicate about cancer-related changes,” she states.
Broader Implications of Sexual Health
Denes’ research focuses on interpersonal communication and its effects on relational, mental, and physical health. Her goal is to identify communication practices that contribute to thriving individuals and relationships. Currently, she serves as the principal investigator on two additional projects examining couples’ communication regarding sexual and relational changes in the context of a cancer diagnosis and treatment.
These projects are supported by internal funding from UConn and a U.S. Scholar Award from the Australian-American Fulbright Commission, and they investigate communication about sexuality and intimacy among both heterosexual and LGBTQI+ cancer patients.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), sexual health encompasses more than just the absence of disease or dysfunction; it includes physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being. The WHO advocates for recognizing that sexual experiences can and should be pleasurable.
Denes concludes, “Despite sex being an essential part of human existence and connection, it is still a topic that many consider taboo. Seeing how the silence that surrounds sex and sexuality can negatively impact individuals and their relationships led me to focus my research on the communication processes that contribute to satisfying relationships.”
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