Management of sexual problems in cancer patients and survivors

Abstract

As patients with cancer are now living long lives after cancer diagnosis and treatment, there has been a growing need to address specific treatment-related side effects that affect quality of life. In particular, sexuality is one of the most fundamental and complex experiences that is often profoundly affected by cancer treatment. Over the past century, researchers have constructed several models for understanding human sexuality. Within the oncology setting, a more mechanistic model of sexuality has been predominant, with focus almost exclusively on addressing physical sequelae and disruptions in organ function. More recently, efforts have been made to raise awareness regarding the complexity of sexuality after cancer, and some integrative models have been proposed. In this section, 3 of these models are briefly reviewed. The review of these models is not exhaustive, but rather meant to provide a prologue for a more comprehensive understanding of sexuality in the context of cancer care and to further frame the content presented throughout this article.