Sexuality And Fertility After Cancer

“Such a comprehensive resource for survivors has been long overdue.” --Michelle Melin, M.P.P., Director of Patient Services Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization "An excellent, well-researched book that responds to the needs of survivors." --Anna Meadows, M.D. Director, Division of Oncology and Children's Cancer Research Center, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Now as never before cancer survivors are discovering their potential for renewed sexuality, which many may never have thought possible. In this comprehensive new book, the leading authority in the field carefully and reassuringly explains your options and gives you the accurate, up-to-date information you need to take advantage of them. Now you can make the decisions that are best for you based on recent medical advances and the newest perspectives. This unique guide covers: * The kinds of sexual problems both men and women are likely to face after treatment--and state-of-the-art solutions * The most effective infertility treatments * How to assess the risks of pregnancy * The latest information on body image, low sex drive, performance anxieties, medications, sex aids, and reconstructive surgery * Special topics such as sex after breast or prostate cancer, and the specific problems facing gays, singles, and survivors of childhood cancers

“Such a comprehensive resource for survivors has been long overdue.” --Michelle Melin, M.P.P., Director of Patient Services Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization "An excellent, well-researched book that responds to the needs of survivors." --Anna Meadows, M.D. Director, Division of Oncology and Children's Cancer Research Center, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Now as never before cancer survivors are discovering their potential for renewed sexuality, which many may never have thought possible. In this comprehensive new book, the leading authority in the field carefully and reassuringly explains your options and gives you the accurate, up-to-date information you need to take advantage of them. Now you can make the decisions that are best for you based on recent medical advances and the newest perspectives. This unique guide covers: * The kinds of sexual problems both men and women are likely to face after treatment--and state-of-the-art solutions * The most effective infertility treatments * How to assess the risks of pregnancy * The latest information on body image, low sex drive, performance anxieties, medications, sex aids, and reconstructive surgery * Special topics such as sex after breast or prostate cancer, and the specific problems facing gays, singles, and survivors of childhood cancers

Sexual Health, Fertility, and Relationships in Cancer Care provides clinical management guidelines for the impact of cancer and oncology treatments on sexual health, fertility and relationships. Employing a practical toolkit format, this volume addresses a spectrum of key topics including: provision of onco-fertility and sexual health support, LGBTQ+ issues, support for adolescents and young people, effective psycho-educational/psycho-sexual interventions, and managing relationships for individuals and couples. Part of the Psycho-oncology Care: Companion Guides for Clinicians series, this concise pocket guide is an ideal resource for cancer medical specialists, psycho-oncologists in training, specialist nurses/nurse consultants, and allied health professionals to use as a quick reference in everyday practice. Pitched at intermediate to advanced level skills, this companion guide can be used as a standalone, or alongside existing oncology and psycho-oncology training programs.

"This book, from the International Psycho-oncology Society, is the second in a series of brief Companion Guides for Clinicians. The series editors identified a need for a guide to focus on the impact of cancer and oncology treatments on sexual health, fertility and relationships. The topic is approached from a psycho-oncology perspective, i.e. placing the emotional, behavioural and social elements at the centre of the topics covered in the chapters.The aim is to describe approaches and treatments that can be utilised by cancer clinicians, mental health professionals, psycho-oncologists in training and allied psychosocial oncology professionals. It emphasises the importance of multidisciplinary care. The guide is not intended to replace national clinical guidelines and policies but gives a more generic international overview of the important factors and elements that need to be considered when dealing with sexual health, fertility and associated relationship issues for cancer patients at all points on the treatment trajectory. Topics include: management of sexual health; onco-fertility care; relationship issues. It covers standards of good practice across all cancer patients, as well as focussing on the needs of individuals, couples, young people and LGBT groups in a pragmatic format for use in everyday practice.Assessment methods are covered, alongside psychological treatments, covering a wide range of patient ages and types of cancer. Policies, service issues, legal, ethical, confidentiality and communication issues are also covered.This brief pocketbook manual can be used for quick reference. This will suit oncology professionals who decide to look further into a topic on a case-by-case or problem-focussed basis as they undertake clinical work"--

This book provides a wide-ranging overview of the sexual consequences of cancer and its treatment with the aim of equipping physicians and other health care providers with the awareness and knowledge required in order to offer patients effective treatment. While sexuality may not be the primary focus for cancer patients, at some point, whether because of sexual changes or relationship issues, many patients come to acknowledge the effects that cancer and its treatment have had on their sexuality. Although the impacts are frequently similar, significant variation is observed. Some patients experience changes in all phases of sexual response, while others experience none; moreover, the consequences of the effects may be felt differently by patients and partners. Unfortunately, many physicians and health care providers remain insufficiently aware of the impact of cancer on sexuality and/or lack knowledge about the concerns of patients and the available treatments and coping strategies. A further issue is the reticence of physicians to discuss sexuality and the fear of sexologists to talk to patients about cancer. Readers will find this book to be a rich source of help in overcoming these constraints and delivering suitable care to patients.

This text explores sexuality and fertility issues for people with ill health or disability. It examines the impact of illness or disability on the sexual and fertile identities of young people. Chapters include the experiences of minority ethnic groups, managing relationships, fertility preservation and treatment, and the transition to parenthood.

In the past, pregnancy after cancer was largely unheard of. Today, it is increasingly a possibility. Oncofertility has emerged as an interdisciplinary field bridging biomedical and social sciences, and examining issues regarding an individual’s fertility options, choice and goals in light of cancer diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. Written by leaders in this evolving field, the volume covers various aspects: medical, ethical and social.

An intimate partnership has physical and psychological components, both of which often take a hit when cancer enters the union. The prospect, and then the process, of treatments tend to alter the way the two people relate to each other. When the diagnosis is one of gynecologic or reproductive cancer for a woman, questions of sexual intimacy and function often color relationships, confuse partners, and raise concerns that other cancers might not. With an estimated 83,000 women a year added to the roles of those battling gynecologic cancers and 300,000 women a year added to roles of those battling breast cancer, Sex and Cancer focuses on surviving and thriving—more than 70 percent of women with gynecologic cancers now survive!—and helps readers mitigate outcomes and overcome challenges of sexual dysfunction after a cancer diagnosis; reassess the priorities in an intimate relationship to support the patient’s struggle, healing, and libido; and learn to interact with the professionals tasked with saving lives and enhancing those areas affected by cancer diagnosis and treatment. Sex and Cancer features stories that illuminate insights about the impact of gynecologic and reproductive cancers on relationships. The stories give life to guidance that’s critical in shaping the effect that gynecologic cancer has on intimate relationships. And readers will find insight, comfort, and suggestions for addresses the questions about intimacy and sexual function that are often left unexpressed.