Main description:

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.

Contents:

Table of Contents
Disclaimer
Dedication and Acknowledgments

Introduction: What hope does this book give you?

Part I: Understanding the Impact
Chapter 1: What Happens First?
Chapter 2: What Happens Next?
Chapter 3: Issues and Some Answers
Chapter 4: Like a Rat in a Lab
Chapter 5: The New Normal

Part II: Overcoming the Impact
Chapter 6: One Challenge at a Time
Chapter 7: The Continuum of Solutions
Chapter 8: Your New Normal

Conclusion: Focus on the partners

Appendix A: Tips from Former Patients
Appendix B: Selected Resources Related to Intimacy and Cancer
Glossary
Index [not included]