ESTRO 2024 - Abstract Book

S147 ESTRO 2024 fibroblasts towards the capillaries occurring specifically after fibrogenic dose of radiation. Importantly, we developed a web-based interface to facilitate the exploration by the community of the lung cell atlas after radiation injury. By combining scRNAseq and spatial analysis, this work depicts with unprecedented detail cell type-specific radiation-induced responses associated with either lung regeneration (i.e. after 10 Gy) or its failure leading to pulmonary fibrosis (i.e. after 17 Gy). Invited Speaker

3625

Rehabilitation after gynaecological radiotherapy

Aoife Nolan

University Hospital Galway, Radiotherapy, Galway, Ireland

Abstract:

Over a million women are diagnosed with a Gynaecological Cancer (GC) annually worldwide (Ginsberg et al, 2017). As survival rates among GC patients increase, ensuring reasonable Quality of Life (QoL) after treatment becomes increasingly important (Deshpande, Braun & Meyer, 2015). Women with GCs are at significant risk of sexual and psychiatric dysfunction, including depression and anxiety (Beesley, 2013). The prevalence of sexual side effects following therapy varies, depending on cancer and therapy type, but may even rise to 100% after treatment of genital cancers (Schover et al, 2014; Kennedy et al, 2015; Ben Charif et al, 2016). Challenges can include sexual issues, premature menopause, chemotherapy-induced toxicity and negative body image (Guntupalli et al, 2015). Despite the frequency of sexual dysfunction and distress amongst GC patients, it is not routinely addressed by medical staff (Krouwel, 2019; Izycki et al, 2016). Up to half of patients report not having any discussions with their clinicians about post-treatment sexual adjustment (Juraskova, 2009; Krouwel et al 2019), which represents a concerning gap in the provision of healthcare internationally. Patients are frequently not informed about how treatment may affect their sexual function (Wendt et al, 2017; Schover et al 2014). Data suggest that, though not all, a significant number of women with GC want to discuss sexual changes, be actively engaged, and make informed decisions about their post-treatment recovery process (Lubotzky et al, 2015). However patients can feel Healthcare Professionals (HCPs) do not provide an opportunity to talk about their sexual function or even ignore their sexual needs (Wendt et al, 2017, Ussher et al, 2013, Ben Charif et al, 2016). Many doctors self-report avoiding discussing sexual issues. During treatment, patients are treated by different professionals within a multidisciplinary team. It is not always clear which member of the team is responsible for addressing sexual function (Krouwel et al, 2019). When sexuality concerns are not addressed by HCPs, patients may be led to believe that discussing these needs in the medical context is inappropriate (Butler et al 1998; Hordern & Street, 2007). Barriers to discussions about sex suggested by HCPs include lack of time, knowledge, network of specialists who can act as referrals and being uncomfortable with the idea of discussing sexual issues with patients (Ben Charif et al, 2016, Gilbert et al, 2016). Patients want help with a broad range of sexual issues, not limited to sexual function, but also self-concept and relationships, whereas most HCPs discuss sex at best in a brief medicalised manner (Fitch et al, 2013; Ussher et al, 2013, Flynn et al, 2011). Cancer treatment has come a long way with positive reflection in the growing numbers of ‘survivors’. Many survivors adjust to cancer and the effects of its treatment but a subgroup struggle with both physical and emotional adjustment in the survivorship period (Yi et al, 2017) that disrupts QoL and return to usual activities (Berg et al, 2016, Reis et al, 2010). QoL in cancer patients often consists of the toxicity and burden of the treatment, and the patient’s socio-