Study assesses value of online support for women with gynecological cancers

Researchers in Calgary and Edmonton are launching a 12-week online forum to study the effectiveness of support groups in helping woman who are recovering from gynecological cancers.

The 12-week, professionally moderated forum will allow women recovering from cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal and vulvar cancers to discuss their concerns, securely and anonymously.

The support forum will also teach the women about how treatments can affect them sexually and how to manage the changes.

“Women often have concerns about the effects of cancer treatment on their body image and sexuality,” said Dr. John Robinson, a psychologist with the Tom Baker Cancer Centre’s Department of Psychosocial & Rehabilitation Oncology. “The online support group provides a safe place where women can find answers to some of these questions and connect with others going through the same things.” 

Participants will also be able to post questions, messages or comments and interact with others who are going through the same experiences.

The online support group will be evaluated by researchers as part of a study led by Alberta Health Services in Calgary and Edmonton.

Researchers say that intimate relationships and self-esteem often suffer following gynecologic cancers and they hope that support from other survivors and input from professionals will help the women to see an improvement in their quality of life.

“Women who live outside the larger centres and who may find it difficult to access specialized resources would likely find the online group beneficial,” said Dr. Ericka Wiebe, a co-investigator in the study and an oncologist at Edmonton’s Cross Cancer Institute. “Even for women who live in the city, it may be more appealing to access a support group from the comfort and privacy of their own home.”

Women who have completed their cancer treatment between three months and five years ago are eligible to participate in the study and once they are enrolled, they can access the support group at any time during the 12 weeks.

Alberta researchers are looking for approximately 80 participants and say 520 women in total will take part in the study, which is also underway in Ontario, B.C., and New York.

For more information on the Gynecological Cancer Study, phone [phone] or email [e-mail].