Listen

Description

Love the episode? Send us a text!

Sex is everywhere, whether it’s on your tv screen, a book you’re reading, or on social media.  Yet, sexual health is a taboo subject for many people, and when undergoing cancer treatment, it can disrupt people’s day-to-day lives. In this episode we speak with Dr. Sharon Bober from Dana Farber Cancer Institute about the sexual health challenges breast cancer patients face, the effect cancer treatment has on the body,  and how it affects sexual relationships. 

Sexual health needs to be a part of the conversation when speaking with oncologists. Just like being asked about various side effects asking about one’s sexual health while going through treatment should also be commonplace. We need to elevate survivorship voices and the long-term challenges we face. Learn what steps you can take to restore your sexual health and how to navigate these conversations with your medical providers. Welcome to the Conversation! 

Topics Discussed: 

• The effects breast cancer treatment has on the body and how it affects sex 
• Resources and support provided on sexual health for cancer survivors 
• Menopause and how it affects breast cancer survivors 
• Body image and the role it plays in our sexual health and breast cancer 
• Ovarian suppression treatment and the side effects it has on sexual health 
• Sex and sexual health is still taboo, even with all of the studies and information on how it affects cancer survivors 
• It needs to be part of the conversation and should be talked about as often as when asked about other side effects 
• Elevate survivorship voices 

Resources Mentioned: 

Multidisciplinary clinic at Dana Farber in Boston https://www.dana-farber.org/for-patients-and-families/care-and-treatment/support-services-and-amenities/sexual-health-program/ 

The scientific network for female and sexual health and cancer 

https://www.cancersexnetwork.org/ 

North American Menopause Society website 

https://www.menopause.org/ 

Recommendations/guidelines: 

NCCN https://www.nccn.org/guidelines/guidelines-detail 

ASCO https://www.asco.org/practice-patients/guidelines

SurvivingBreastCancer Resources:
Website: https://www.survivingbreastcancer.org/
Events: https://www.survivingbreastcancer.org/events

Support the show