Sexuality and Cancer
Sexuality is an enormously important aspect of self. It encompasses a complex array of
psychosocial, emotional, and behavioral elements throughout life and it is just
as important to people with cancer as in the non-cancer population. The professional literature documents a
very significant clinical deficit in recognition and assessment of issues of
sexuality in all groups and at all phases of the cancer experience. Sexual dysfunction has been described
as the most common long-term consequence of cancer treatment. The proportion may reach as high as 90%
in some cancers. Yet sexual issues
are among those that oncology professionals are least comfortable addressing. Fertility preservation and sexual
dysfunction are among the least discussed issues in cancer survivors of all
ages. In one study, less than half
of gynecologic oncologists took a sexual history. Patients tend to discuss everything about their cancer experience
with other patients in the treatment room or waiting room - except
sexuality. When neither
professionals nor patients raise the topic patients feel isolated and lonely.
Cancer's effects on sexuality may be based on anatomic,
psychological, hormonal, or social changes. Direct effects include loss of libido in both men and women;
erectile dysfunction; decrease or loss of sensation in sexual organs; loss of
vaginal lubrication; thinning of vaginal mucosa leading to painful intercourse;
retrograde ejaculation; loss of fertility; or early menopause. Indirect effects can be just as profound
as direct effects. For example,
fatigue, pain, depression, lymphedema, amputation, incontinence, and presence
of an ostomy may all have a significant impact on self-image and sexual
expression.
Sexual rehabilitation often requires active participation of
a partner. A multidisciplinary
approach is usually most helpful so that both medical and psychosocial issues
are addressed. Ninety percent of
sexual dysfunction may have a physiologic origin, but 75% also have a
psychological component, according to one report. There is a multiplicity of approaches to fertility and
sexuality in both men and women that could be applied if the issues were
addressed openly by professionals, patients, parents (of children with cancer),
and survivors.
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In the News
Time To Grow a
Mustache To Support Men's Health
Specifically,
raising money for the Prostate Cancer Foundation. Once again, Yale-affiliated men are banding together as "The Handsome
Dans" to grow mustaches in support of prostate cancer research.
Learn More >>
New York Times Articles
After
Cancer, Ambushed by Depression
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At Home in Solitude as a Spirit Recovers
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After a Death, the Pain That Doesn't Go Away
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Connecticut Cancer
Plan
The Connecticut Cancer Plan, 2009-2013,
is the product of nearly 2 years of dedication and collaborative efforts
among more than 100 members of the Connecticut Cancer Partnership.
Learn More >>
Proceeds from
Dr. Mel's Connecticut Climate Book to Benefit
Yale Cancer Center
Dr. Mel Goldstein, meteorologist for WTNH News Channel 8, has written his second book entitled Dr. Mel's Connecticut Climate Book, to be released this month. Dr. Mel's first book was The Complete Idiot's Guide to Weather (1999). Proceeds from his second book, as proceeds from the first did, will
support the Dr. Mel Goldstein Multiple Myeloma Research Fund at Yale
Cancer Center.
Learn More >>
International Association for the
Study of Pain (IASP)
Each October the IASP announces its focus for the coming year. 2009-2010 Global Year
Against Musculoskeletal Pain.
Learn More >>
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Journal Watch
Adamsen L, et al. Effect of a multimodal high intensity exercise intervention in cancer patients
undergoing chemotherapy: randomised controlled trial.
BMJ. 2009;339:b3410.
Read More >>
Bush SH & Bruera E. The Assessment and Management of Delirium in Cancer
Patients.
Oncologist. 2009;14(10):1039-49.
Read More >>
Dizon DS. Quality of Life After Breast Cancer: Survivorship and Sexuality.
Breast J.
2009;15(5):500-504.
Read More >>
Escalante CP, et al. Cancer-Related Fatigue: The Approach
and Treatment.
J Gen Intern Med. 2009;
24(Suppl 2):412-6.
Read More >>
Higginson
IJ. Palliative care: no longer a
luxury but a necessity?
J Pain
Symptom Manage.
2009;38:1-3.
Read More >>
Hughes MK. Sexuality and Cancer: The Final Frontier for Nurses.
Onc Nurs Forum. 2009;36(5):E241-E246.
Read More >>
Jotkowitz A,
Zivotofsky AZ. "Love Your
Neighbor Like Yourself": A Jewish Ethical Approach to the Use of Pain
Medication with Potentially Dangerous Side Effects.
J Palliat Med. 2009 Oct 14.
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Latka RN, et al. Adherence to a randomized controlled
trial of aerobic exercise in breast cancer survivors: the Yale exercise and
survivorship study.
J Cancer Surviv. 2009 Sep;3(3):148-57. [from the Yale School of Public Health]
Read More >>
Lowe SS, et al. Associations Between Physical Activity
and Quality of Life in Cancer Patients Receiving Palliative Care: A Pilot
Survey.
J
Pain Symptom Manage. 2009 Sep 21.
Read More >>
Puchalski
C, et al. Improving the
quality of spiritual care as a dimension of palliative care: the report of the
Consensus Conference.
J Palliat Med. 2009
Oct;12(10):885-904. [New Guidelines for Incorporating Spirituality in
End-of-Life Care]
Read More >>
Sagen A, et al. Physical activity for the affected limb and arm lymphedema after breast
cancer surgery. A prospective, randomized controlled trial with two years
follow-up.
Acta Oncol.
2009;48(8):1102-10.
Read More >>
Wittmann
D, et al. The psychosocial aspects of sexual recovery after prostate cancer
treatment.
Int J Impot Res. 2009 Mar-Apr;21(2):99-106.
Read More >>
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