How Living With Cancer Affects A Woman's Sex Life

Main Category: Cancer / Oncology
Also Included In: Sexual Health / STDs;  Women's Health / Gynecology
Article Date: 22 Jul 2007 - 1:00 PDT

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Just a generation ago, it's a question that might never have been asked, but with more and more women surviving breast cancer, doctors now want to know - how is cancer affecting your sex life? In a new study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, doctors asked that very question.

In less than a generation, the number of cancer survivors in this country has tripled,* including more than two million women who've either beaten or are battling breast cancer.*

"Increasingly we're looking at patients who, cancer becomes a chronic disease, they live with the cancer and its treatment," says Charles Shapiro, MD at Ohio State University's Comprehensive Cancer Center.

But it's not enough to just live with cancer. Doctors want to know how well women live with it. So researchers at Ohio State University's Comprehensive Cancer Center have published a study looking at the sex lives of women whose cancer has come back.

"We hope that the paper will put patients' sexuality concerns on the table. Such that health care professionals are aware that patients are trying to maintain that aspect of their lives," says Barbara Andersen, PhD at Ohio State University's Comprehensive Cancer Center.

The study found, predictably, that sexuality becomes less of a priority after recurrence, but as time goes by, that changes. In older women, sexuality rebounds somewhat. But in younger women, it often doesn't. Doctors aren't sure why, but the fact that they're even looking into it means a lot to patients like Gayle Parkhill. She's been battling some form of cancer for more than nine years.

"It's a great thing that they're focusing on this and other aspects of survivorship, because there's so many of us out there that are really thriving," says Gayle.

The study shows that most women think an intimate relationship isn't necessary, but is important during their treatment. Many women, however, may not know how to cope with the subject. Doctors hope this study will raise awareness not only for patients, but also for their doctors.

*Cancer Prevalence: How Many People Get Colorectal Cancer?
American Cancer Society

Ohio State University