Cancer survivorship rates are increasing significantly, shifting the focus of oncology care from just managing the disease and treatments to identifying the psychosocial needs of patients with the goal of directly improving quality of life issues (Tan, Waldman, Bostick, 2002; Helgeson, 2005;Katz, 2005;Zabora, BrintzenhofeSzoc, Curbow, Hooker, Piantadosi, 2001).

Approximately, 10 million people are living with the effects of cancer, and 40% to 100% of these individuals will experience some form of sexual dysfunction (American Cancer Society, 2007; Derogatis & Kourlesis, 1981). Sexuality and intimacy are quality of life issues impacted by cancer and its treatments, regardless of age, race, gender or socioeconomic background (Shell, 2002; Katz, 2005; Zabora, 2004; Derogatis, 2000).

Sexual dissatisfaction, whether physical, psychological or emotional, not only impacts the person being treated

for disease, but also their partner and overall relationship (Svetlik et al., 2005). Although there is substantial literature supporting the experience of sexual problems in persons with chronic illness, like cancer, there is a

significant lack of evidence-based sexuality assessments and interventions (Fronek, et al. 2005; Shell, 2002;

Haboubi & Lincoln, 2003).

Chemotherapy, radiation and surgery are the common treatments utilized to treat cancer and often impact a person’s physiological, emotional, psychological and sexual well being (Schover, 1999; Hughes,2000; Pelusi, 2006). Cancer treatments not only impact the physiological, but also heighten areas of distress like pain, fatigue, depression and anxiety (Zabora et al., 2001). Unfortunately, many treatments used to manage the distress of depression, pain or anxiety also create significant changes in the sexual response cycle, complicating or exacerbating symptoms of sexual dysfunction (Pelusi, 2006; Ananth et al. 2003;Frumovitz et al., 2005;Spagnola et al., 2003; Hughes, 2000).

Cancer survivors often experience “long term changes and obstacles, such as impaired immune response, vital organ dysfunction, hormone changes resulting in infertility, altered sexual function, cognitive changes, ongoing fatigue, depression, anxiety, family distress and economic challenges, to mention only a few” (Curtiss & Haylock, 2006) p 4.

All of these changes have the possibility of impacting a woman’s perception of her self and how she gains meaning of her world, experiences, and new limitations brought on by the cancer and its treatments.

Article by Sage Bolte

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