Grant received in 2024.
DCCC has funded 143,000 DKK to the project.
Radiation therapy and surgery constitute an important part of the standard treatment for rectal cancer. Unfortunately, many patients experience a disruption in their sexual function after treatment. However, when planning radiation therapy, consideration of the normal pelvic tissues affecting sexual function is not common practice due to a lack of understanding about the appropriate radiation dose and relevant organs.
This initiative aims to prepare a study focused on optimizing radiation therapy for rectal cancer by preserving the organs that impact sexual function, with the goal of improving patients' quality of life.
To conduct the study, a questionnaire about sexual function needs to be developed. A national database for collecting questionnaires before and after radiation therapy must be established. Additionally, a strategy for radiation therapy and identification of the normal tissues affecting sexual function needs to be developed, ensuring national consistency and implementation.
Multidisciplinary organisation
This initiative originates from the Danish Colorectal Cancer Group's (DCCG) radiation therapy committee, involving all seven oncological centers that administer radiation therapy for rectal cancer.
Project stakeholders
- Bodil Ginnerup Pedersen, Consultant, Department of Radiology, Aarhus University Hospital
- Anette Højer Mikkelsen, Specialist in Sexological counseling, Can.Sur., Center for Sexology Research, Aalborg University Hospital
- Lars Ulrik Fokdal, Consultant, Department of Oncology, Aalborg University Hospital
- Laurids Østergaard Poulsen, Consultant, Department of Oncology, Aalborg University Hospital
- Camilla Østergaard Skovhus Kronborg, Consultant, Danish Centre for Particle Therapy, Aarhus University Hospital. Primary contact, e-mail: camkro@rm.dk
- Dennis Tideman Arp, Physicist, Department of Oncology, Aalborg University Hospital
- Christiane Ehlers Mortensen, MD, Department of Oncology, Rigshospitalet
- Susan Blak Nyrup, Physicist, Department of Oncology, Herlev Hospital
- Rana Bahij, MD, Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital
- Joanna Szpejewska, MD, Department of Oncology, Næstved Hospital
- Christian Andreas Hvid, MD, Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital
- Kenni Højsgaard Engstrøm, Physicist, Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital