Development of a Responsive Digital Intervention to Support Sexual Health Self-management and Quality of Life in Women with Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent malignancies among women, and despite improved survival associated with endocrine therapy, treatment-related adverse effects significantly affect quality of life, particularly sexual health. This study aimed to describe the development of the responsive website "Cancer and My Life", a digital self-management intervention designed to support the sexual health and well-being of women receiving oral endocrine therapy for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. The development process followed the Medical Research Council framework for complex interventions and involved a multidisciplinary team, drawing on scientific evidence and relevant theoretical foundations. The resulting platform was developed as a responsive website and refined through iterative cycles of user testing and feedback. It provides educational content, psychosocial support tools, and interactive resources to promote autonomy, self-management, and informed decision-making. The website addresses topics identified through a comprehensive literature review, including body image, intimacy, genitourinary symptoms, and communication with partners. Overall, the platform demonstrates the potential of digital technology to deliver patient-centered support by addressing sensitive and frequently overlooked aspects of cancer care, such as sexual health, and highlights digital health as a promising strategy for more integrated and personalized oncology care.
Authors
- Izabel Almeida Alves (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8935-6542)
- Camila Rangel dos Santos
- Calinca Eliotério Oliveira (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-0347-2225)
- Patrícia Brito Ribeiro de Oliveira
Institutions
- Universidade Federal da Bahia (BR)
- Universidade do Estado da Bahia (BR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Cancer Education
- Published
- 2026-08-25
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-026-02974-2
- Primary Topic
- Cancer survivorship and care
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Universidade do Estado da Bahia
- Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior