Press Releases

Life after Breast Cancer: Yes to Sex
Women's Sexual Health Foundation Salutes National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Encourages Women to Explore Options

Cincinnati, OH - Can a woman's sexual identity survive breast cancer? The Women's Sexual Health Foundation (TWSHF) wants women to know that the answer is emphatically "yes".

October's designation as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) is instrumental in increasing awareness and improved outcomes for the more than 200,000 cases of invasive breast cancer that are identified and treated annually (source: nbcam.org). TWSHF wants to extend this mission to help women nurture and maintain the quality of their intimate lives.

"Previously, doctors focused entirely on the issue of patient survival," said Lisa Martinez, executive director, The Women's Sexual Health Foundation. "Now that prognoses have improved so dramatically, women have the opportunity to survive and thrive - and continue to express their sexuality in a manner that is comfortable and positive."

Cancer treatment, particularly for conditions affecting the breast or gynecological areas, can make sex difficult or painful. The emotional stress of the illness, including preconceptions regarding sexual activity and cancer, can also impact an individual's ability to resume a satisfying sexual life. Open communication with a doctor, counselor and partner can be the first step in addressing these issues, which can include:

Top Five Commonly Reported Side Effects of Cancer Treatment on Sexual Intimacy:

• Difficulty reaching orgasm
• Loss of desire for sex
• Pain during penetration
• Reduced size of vagina
• Vaginal dryness

Not all women will experience these side effects. A doctor can give an individual specific information regarding treatments, and what side effects may take place. The next step, after understanding what side effects may take place, is learning how to address these issues.

Road Map to Understanding: Women's Sexuality and Cancer

Information is now available to help women and their partners better understand, and deal with, the issues surrounding critical illness and its impact on sexual intimacy. Dr. Michael Krychman, a gynecologist with expertise in women's sexual health at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City and TWSHF Advisory Board Member, has authored an article addressing women's sexuality and cancer. In this ground-breaking article, Dr. Krychman identifies the issues surrounding sexual health, and the value of a therapeutic approach to sexual intimacy in the wake of cancer treatment. Dr. Krychman also outlines a road map to recovering and maintaining sexual intimacy through the use of multiple disciplines, including:

• Treatment of systematic illnesses
• Identification of medicines
• Behavioral modification
• Pain management
• Education
• Psychotherapy
• Pharmacologic intervention
• Sexual devices
• Alternative and complementary medicine
• Consultation

Free Educational Article

As part of the celebration of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, TWSHF is making the full text of Dr. Krychman's article, Cancer, Sexuality and Sexual Expression, available to the public at no charge through October. Interested parties can contact info@twshf.org for their free copy, or write:
TWSHF, PO Box 40603, Cincinnati, Ohio 45240-0603.

About The Women's Sexual Health Journal
The Women's Sexual Health Journal is an on-line quarterly journal available through The Women's Sexual Health Foundation. It contains personal stories about women and their sexual health difficulties, and articles on sexual medicine, health, and research topics that receive little attention in medical schools and a healthcare provider's training. For more information about the journal go to www.TWSHF.org.

About The Women's Sexual Health Foundation
TWSHF is an international non-profit organization whose primary mission is to educate the public and healthcare professionals on women's sexual health. The Foundation has numerous resources for the public and healthcare professionals at www.TWSHF.org, including educational brochures in English, German and Spanish and The Women's Sexual Health Journal for members. The Foundation just completed its second annual Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD) and Health Symposium for healthcare professionals and students on April 22, 2006 in New York City in conjunction with the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. For more information on future Symposia, e-mail info@twshf.org.

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