SPARC: Supporting Sexual Recovery for Women with Bladder Cancer

The SPARC study is a research initiative led by Rebecca Martin of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. It aims to develop an educational intervention to improve sexual recovery support for women who have undergone radical cystectomy for bladder cancer. Phase 1 of the project involves in-depth qualitative research across three high-volume cystectomy centres in the UK. It includes two key strands: one focusing on patients to capture their lived experiences and sexual recovery needs, and another engaging healthcare professionals (HCPs) to explore current practices, barriers, and facilitators in delivering sexual health counselling. This phase uses a framework analysis to generate rich, nuanced insights to inform later stages of the project.

The study is underpinned by evidence showing that over 75% of women experience sexual dysfunction following bladder cancer treatment, with many reporting little to no discussion about sexual consequences or recovery during their care. Despite this, most women express a desire to maintain sexual function, while many clinicians report lacking confidence and training in addressing female sexual health. By integrating both patient and clinician perspectives, the study will provide a deeper understanding of how sexual recovery is experienced and supported (or not) in practice. These findings will inform co-design workshops in Phase 2, where patients and clinicians will collaboratively develop the educational intervention. The ultimate goal is to deliver a more personalised, responsive approach to care that acknowledges the intimate and often neglected challenges faced by women following cystectomy.