Introduction: Although creative therapies like painting, dancing, and writing are often used and encouraged to treat various diseases, including cancer, there are few systematic scientific studies on innovative therapies in medical care. Methods: An anonymous survey was developed for female patients, their relatives, and female medical staff on the impact of creative therapies on optimizing clinical therapy management in exclusively female trials. Results: Of 718 respondents, 358 were female patients, 69 were medical personnel, and 291 were in the control group. Overall, 91.2% of respondents had sought access to creative therapies, indicating strong self-motivated engagement in activities to improve health and well-being. This study also uncovered a significant preference for creative writing among patients. Furthermore, the data suggest that integrating innovative therapies into biopsychosocial anamnesis could offer valuable insights into patients’ mobility, mood, and social behaviors. Despite a general hesitation to discuss leisure activities with medical professionals, many patients wanted to incorporate creative activities into their treatment plans. Moreover, group settings for innovative therapy were preferred, highlighting the need for more structured support in medical environments to facilitate these therapeutic interactions. Conclusions: This study suggests creative therapies can be valuable in medical care.

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the associations between sexuality, quality of life, treatment discontinuation, and survival in recurrent ovarian cancer (OC). Methods: Raw data from various phase II/III studies, including the questionnaires EORTC-QLQ-C30 and QLQ-OV28, were included. Data from the meta-analysis were calculated using logistic and Cox regression. Results: Data on sexuality were available for 644 patients. A total of 162 patients had an interest in sex and were sexually active (Group A). A total of 45 patients had an interest in sex and were sexually not active (Group I) and 437 patients had no interest in sex and were not sexually active (Group N). Group A was younger in median age (age at randomization), at 57 years, than Group I, at 60 years, and Group N, at 65 years (p < 0.001). Group A had a better ECOG performance status and fewer recurrences (all p < 0.001). FIGO stage, grading, and BMI were not associated with interest in sex and sexual activity. Group A showed higher scores in role, body, and social function (all p < 0.001), emotional functionality (p < 0.002), and body image (p = 0.012). In addition, Group A reported less pain, less peripheral neuropathy, and less fatigue (all p < 0.001). There was no association with the premature discontinuation of chemotherapy. Group A showed better survival rates compared to group N (22.3 months vs. 17.4 months, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Physicians should routinely address the topic of sexuality with ovarian cancer patients. Sexuality appears to be a marker for quality of life as well as overall survival.

Background: Effective communication improves patient satisfaction and reduces stress for both patients and physicians. Surveys consistently highlight the importance of strong communication skills among physicians, especially in oncologic settings. Yet, communication training is neither ubiquitous nor standardized in medical studies or residency, and physicians report that this task represents a burden for them. Given the limited data addressing the observations and expectations of patients with gynecologic malignancies when receiving bad news, this survey aimed to assess their perspective on this topic. Methods: We examined throughout an anonymous questionnaire how patients with gynecological and breast cancer experienced the delivery of bad news. Data were collected in Germany from July 2024 to September 2025. The questionnaire was available online and in paper form in four languages (German, English, Turkish, Arabic), with the purpose of recording culture-specific data. Results: A total of 249 patients completed the survey. Regarding the overall need for improvement in delivering bad news, 222 women (94.5%) declared that improvement was necessary, with 92 (39.1%) of them indicating that substantial improvement was required. While 67.9% of patients were content with the physician’s professional competence, 30.5% stated a lack of empathy, and 32.9% stated insufficient time for conversation. When comparing satisfied and dissatisfied patients, significant differences were observed across several aspects, such as consultation length, nonverbal communication, calmness of the setting, stress level after the conversation, and the offer to bring a trusted person or arrange a follow-up conversation. Conclusions: This patient survey highlights a persistent gap between patients’ expectations and physicians’ performance when it comes to delivering bad news. The findings underline the urgent need for the implementation of systematic training programs and structured communication protocols in gynecologic oncology.

Background/Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic was a major challenge for healthcare systems and social life worldwide. During the pandemic, studies focused on examining structural changes in patient care and establishing new guidelines to manage COVID-19, but very few of them addressed patients’ perceptions and concerns regarding changes in cancer treatment during the pandemic. This study aimed to assess the changes in their therapy situation during three waves of the pandemic and the impact on their social life. Methods: This exploratory cross-sectional multicenter survey was conducted among patients with gynecological malignancies and breast cancer at gynecological oncology centers in Germany between October 2020 and February 2022. An anonymous paper-based 50-item questionnaire, available in German, assessed medical care, treatment modifications, mental health, and socioeconomic burden during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were analyzed descriptively. Two subgroup analyses were conducted, comparing age groups ≤70 and >70 years, as well as patients with and without a migrant background. Results: Overall, 778 patients met the inclusion criteria of the survey (median age: 59; range: 24–93). In the majority of the patients (77.1%), the treatment schedules remained unchanged during COVID-19 pandemic. Treatment appointments were modified in a small number of patients (9.0%). Changes in therapy schedules were slightly more common among the second- and third-generation migrants and among patients ≤70 years. Despite the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, most patients (83.4%) kept their trust in the healthcare system. Acceptance of preventive measures was high, and 85.9% were willing to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Psychological symptoms such as worries and fear were reported by more than half of the participants during the last 2 weeks previous to the survey and more common among patients ≤70 years. Only 8.6% were more afraid of a COVID-19 infection than their cancer disease. Conclusions: Despite major challenges in cancer care due to the COVID-19 pandemic, access to cancer treatment and adequate management at gynecological oncology centers in Germany remained stable. The increased psychological burden in crises requires new infrastructure and should be addressed to improve patient care in future crises. The acceptance of taking preventive measures against COVID-19 was high among cancer patients.

Background: Aspects of sexuality are often deprioritized or overlooked during the treatment of women with ovarian cancer, despite the profound physical and psychosocial impact of surgical and oncological therapies. This study aimed to explore experiences of sexuality and body image in women with ovarian cancer during the peri- and postoperative period. Methods: This qualitative exploratory study was based on twelve semi-structured, in-depth interviews with women aged ≥18 years diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Interviews were conducted in person or by telephone, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using qualitative content analysis according to Kuckartz with MAXQDA 24.11. Results: Participants described substantial changes in sexuality and body image throughout their disease trajectory. Participants emphasized a lack of attention to sexual health and well-being in ovarian cancer care and expressed a need for timely and sensitive dialogue with medical professionals, social support systems, and with themselves regarding sexuality and intimacy. Conclusions: Sexuality emerged as a key factor for overall well-being and empowerment in women with ovarian cancer, regardless of age or relationship status. The findings suggest that sexuality-related concerns are oftentimes overlooked in clinical care and may negatively influence recovery. Greater awareness and a holistic, patient-centered perspective may help support sexual health and well-being throughout the disease trajectory.