Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Female Sexual Life During Malignancies

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Female Sexual Function and Dysfunction

  • 1489 Accesses

Abstract

We do not have a body; we are our body. Our body is our self.

Nevertheless

The bookbag on my back. I'm out the door.

Winter turns to spring

The way it does, and I buy dresses.

A year later, it gets to where

When they say How are you feeling,

With that anxious look on their faces,

And I start to tell them the latest

About my love life or my kids' love lives,

Or my vacation or my writer’s block-

It actually takes me a while

To realize what they have in mind-

I’m fine, I say, I’m great, I’m clean.

The bookbag on my back, I have to run.

Alicia Ostriker

from

The Crack in Everything.

University of Pittsburgh Press, 1996

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 89.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. World cancer research Fund International. http://wcrf.org/int/cancer-facts-figures/data-specific-cancers/bladder-cancer-statistics. 2012.

  2. Purtilo DT, Sullivan JL. Immunological basis for superior survival of females. Am J Dis Child. 1979;133:1251–3.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Siegel R, Naishadham D, Jemal A. Cancer statistics, 2013. CA Cancer J Clin. 2013;63:11–30.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Howlader N, Noone AM, Krapcho M, Neyman N, Aminou R, Altekruse SF, Kosary CL, Ruhl J, Tatalovich Z, Cho H, Mariotto A, Eisner MP, Lewis DR, Chen HS, Feuer EJ, Cronin KA, editors. SEER cancer statistics review, 1975–2009 (vintage 2009 populations). Bethesda: National Cancer Institute; 2009.

    Google Scholar 

  5. AIRTUM Working Group. I Tumori in Italia: rapporto 2010. La prevalenza dei tumori in Italia: persone che convivono con un tumore, lungosopravviventi e guariti. Epidemiol Prev. 2010;34(5–6):Suppl 2.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program. Limited-use data (1973–2006), National Cancer Institute, DCCPS, Surveillance Research Program, Cancer Statistics Branch, released April 2009, based on the November 2007 submission.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Stabile C, Barakat R, Abu-Rustum N, Dickler M, Goldfarb S, Basch E, Carter J. Preliminary data – a survey of female cancer patients’ Preference for sexual health intervention. Podium presentation at the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health Meeting; Scottsdale, Feb 2011.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Wiggins DL, Wood R, Granai CO, Dizon DS. Sex, intimacy, and the gynecologic oncologists: survey results of the New England Association of Gynecologic Oncologists (NEAGO). J Psychosoc Oncol. 2007;25:61–70.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. White ID, Allan H, Faithfull S. Assessment of treatment-induced female sexual morbidity in oncology: is this a part of routine medical follow-up after radical pelvic radiotherapy? Br J Cancer. 2011;105:903–10.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  10. Ekwall E, Ternestedt BM, Sorbe B. Important aspects of health care for women with gynecologic cancer. Oncol Nurs Forum. 2003;30:313–19.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Shifren JL, Monz BU, Russo PA, Segreti A, Johannes CB. Sexual problems and distress in United States women: prevalence and correlates. Obstet Gynecol. 2008;112:970–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Ende J, Rockwell S, Glasgow M. The sexual history in general medical practice. Arch Intern Med. 1984;144:558–61.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Goldfarb SB, Abramsohn E, Andersen BL, Baron SR, Carter J, Dickler M, Florendo J, Freeman L, Githens K, Kushner D, Makelarski JA, Yamada D, Lindau S. A national network to advance the field of cancer and female sexuality. J Sex Med. 2013;10(2):319–25.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  14. Thirlaway K, Fallowfield L, Cuzick J. The sexual activity questionnaire: a measure of women’s sexual functioning. Qual Life Res. 1997;6(6):606.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Fobair P, O’Hanlan K, Koopman C, Classen C, Dimiceli S, Drooker N, Warner D, Davids H, Loulan J, Wallsten D, Goffinet D, Morrow G, Spiegel D. Comparison of lesbian and heterosexual women’s response to newly diagnosed breast cancer. Psychooncology. 2001;10(1):40–51.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Baser RE, Li Y, Carter J. Psychometric validation of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) in cancer survivors. Cancer. 2012;118(18):4606–18. doi:10.1002/cncr.26739. Epub 2012 Feb 22.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Booth BB, Rasmussen A, Jensen JB. Evaluating sexual function in women after radical cystectomy as treatment for bladder cancer. Scand J Urol. 2015;19:1–5.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Goldstein I, Fisher WA, Sand M, Rosen RC, Mollen M, Brock G, et al. Womens sexual function improves when partners are administered vardenafil for erectile dysfunction: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Sex Med. 2005;2:819–32.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Pitceathly C, Maguire P. The psychological impact of cancer on patients partners and other key relatives: a review. Eur J Cancer. 2003;39:1517–24.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Hordern AJ, Street AF. Communicating about patient sexuality and intimacy after cancer: mismatched expectations and unmet needs. Med J Aust. 2007;186(5):224–7. 12. Perz J, Ussher J M, Gilbert E, and the Australian Cancer and Sexuality study team.Feeling well and talking about sex : psycho-social predictors of sexual functioning after cancer. BMC Cancer. 2014;14:228.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Bal MD, Yilmaz SD, Beji ES. Sexual health in patients with gynecological cancer: a qualitative study. Sex Disabil. 2013;31(1):83–92.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. 5th ed. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association; 2013.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  23. Moreno KF, Khabbaz E, Gaitonde K, Meinzen-Derr J, Wilson KM, Patil YJ. Sexuality after treatment of head and neck cancer: findings based on modification of sexual adjustment questionnaire. Laryngoscope. 2012;122(7):1526–31.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Panjari M, Bell S, McMurrick PJ, Davis SR. Sexual function, incontinence, and well being in women after rectal cancer. Support Care Cancer. 2013;21(3):2749–58.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Kowalkowski MA, Chandrashekar A, Amiel GE, Lerner SP, Wittmann DA, Latini DM, Goltz HH. Examining sexual dysfunction in non –muscle-invasive bladder cancer: results of cross- sectional mixed methods research. Sex Med. 2014;2(3):141–51.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  26. Jarden M, Schjodt I, Thygesen KH. The impact of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation on sexuality: a systemic review of the literature. Bone Marrow Transplant. 2012;47:716.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Shell JA, Carolan M, Zhan Y, Meneses KD. The longitudinal effects of cancer treatment on sexuality in individuals with lung cancer. Oncol Nurs Forum. 2008;35(1):73–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Horner MJ, Ries LAG, Krapcho M, Neyman N, Aminou R, Howlader N, et al. SEER cancer statistics review, 1975–2006. Bethesda: National Cancer Institute; 2009.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Markopoulos C, Tsaroucha AK, Kouskos E, Mantas D, Antonopoulou Z, Karvelis S. Impact of breast cancer surgery on the self-esteem and sexual life of female patients. J Int Med Res. 2009;37(1):182–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Trudeau M, Charbonneau F, Gelmon K, et al. Selection of adjuvant chemotherapy for treatment of node-positive breast cancer. Lancet Oncol. 2005;6(11):886–98.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Citron ML, Berry DA, Cirrincione C, et al. Randomized trial of dose-dense versus conventionally scheduled and sequential versus concurrent combination chemotherapy as postoperative adjuvant treatment of node-positive primary breast cancer: first report of Intergroup Trial C9741/ Cancer and Leukemia Group B Trial 9741. J Clin Oncol. 2003;21(8):1431–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Brinton LA, Sherman ME, Carreon JD, Anderson WF. Recent trends in breast cancer among younger women in the United States. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2008;100(22):1643–8.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  33. Trinkaus M, Chin S, Wolfman W, Simmons C, Clemons M. Should urogenital atrophy in breast cancer survivors be treated with topical estrogens? Oncologist. 2008;13(3):222–31.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Mourits MJ, Bockermann I, de Vries EG, et al. Tamoxifen effects on subjective and psychosexual well-being, in a randomised breast cancer study comparing high-dose and standard-dose chemotherapy. Br J Cancer. 2002;86(10):1546–50.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  35. Bodurka D, Sun C. Sexual function after gynecologic cancer. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 2006;33:621–30. Audette C, Waterman J. The sexual health of women after gynecological malignancy.J Midwifery Womens Health. 2010;55:357–62.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Abbott-Anderson K, Kwekkebon K. A systematic review of sexual concerns by gynecological cancers survivors. Gynecol Oncol. 2012;124:477–89. doi:10.1016/j.ygyno.2011.11.030. Epub 2011 Nov 28. Review. Erratum in: Gynecol Oncol. 2012 Sep;126(3):501-8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Siegel RL, Miller KD, Jemal A. Cancer statistics, 2015. CA Cancer J Clin. 2015;65(1):5–29.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Allareddy V, Kennedy J, West MM, Konety BR. Quality of life in long-term survivors of bladder cancer. Cancer. 2006;106(11):2355–62.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Lee RK, Abol-Enein H, Artibani W, Bochner B, Dalbagni G, Daneshmand S, Fradet Y, Hautmann RE, Lee CT, Lerner SP, Pycha A, Sievert KD, Stenzl A, Thalmann G, Shariat SF. Urinary diversion after radical cystectomy for bladder cancer: options, patient selection, and outcomes. BJU Int. 2014;113(1):11–23.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Wolff I, Brookman-May S, May M. Sex difference in presentation and outcomes of bladder cancer: biological reality or statistical fluke? Curr Opin Urol. 2015;25(5):418–26.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Koya MP, Simon MA, Soloway MS. Complications of intravesical therapy for urothelial cancer of the bladder. J Urol. 2006;175(6):2004–10.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Traa MJ, De Vries J, Roukema JA, Den Oudsten BL. Sexual (dys) function and the quality of sexual life in patients with colorectal cancer: a systematic review. Ann Oncol. 2012;23(1):19–27.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Altschuler A, Ramirez M, Grant M, Wendel C, Hornbrook MC, Herrinton L, Krouse RS. The influence of husbands’ or male partners’ support on women’s psychosocial adjustment to having an ostomy resulting from colorectal cancer. J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs. 2009;36(3):299–305.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  44. Ayaz S, Kubilay G. Effectiveness of the PLISSIT model for solving the sexual problems of patients with stoma. J Clin Nurs. 2009;18(1):89–98.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Incrocci L, Jensen PT. Pelvic radiotherapy and sexual function in men and women. J Sex Med. 2013;10 suppl 1:53–64.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Larsen EC, Muller J, Schmiegelow K, Rechnitzer C, Andersen AN. Reduced ovarian function in long-term survivors of radiation and chemotherapy- treated childhood cancer. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2003;88:5307–14.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Frumovitz M, Sun CC, Schover LR, Munsell MF, Jhinggran A, Wharton JT, Eifel P, Bevers TB, Levenback CF, Gershenson DM, Bodurka DC. Quality of life and sexual function cervical cancer survivors. J Clin Oncol. 2005;23:7428–36.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Greimel ER, Winter R, Kapp KS, Haas J. Quality of life and sexual functioning after cervical cancer treatment: a long term follow up study. Psychooncology. 2009;18:476–82.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Cullen K, Fergus K, Dasgupta T, Fitch M, Doyle C, Adams L. From “sex\toy” to intrusive imposition: a qualitative examination of women’s experiences with vaginal dilator use following treatment for gynecological cancer. J Sex Med. 2012;9:1162–73.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Jensen P, Groenvold M, Klee M, Thranov I, Petersen M, Machin D. Longitudinal study of sexual function and vaginal changes after radiotherapy for cervical cancer. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2003;56:937–49.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Little FA, Howard GS. Sexual function following radical radiotherapy for bladder cancer. Radiother Oncol. 1998;49:157–61.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Hendren SK, O’Conner BI, Liu M, Asano T, Cohen Z, Swallow CJ, Macrae HM, Gryfe R, Mc Leod RS. Prevalence of male and female sexual dysfunction is high following surgery for rectal cancer. Ann Surg. 2005;242:212–23.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  53. Lange MM, Marijnen CA, Maas CP, Putter H, Rutten HJ, Stiggelbout AM, Meershoek-Klein KE, van de Velde CJ. Risk factors for sexual dysfunction after rectal cancer treatment. Eur J Cancer. 2009;45:1578–88.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Bober SL, Varela VS. Sexuality in adult cancer survivors: challenges and intervention. J Clin Oncol. 2012;30(30):3712–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

    Donata Villari

Authors
  1. Donata Villari
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Donata Villari .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy

    Elisabetta Costantini

  2. Department of Urology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

    Donata Villari

  3. SS Annunziata Hospital, Savigliano, Italy

    Maria Teresa Filocamo

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Villari, D. (2017). Female Sexual Life During Malignancies. In: Costantini, E., Villari, D., Filocamo, M. (eds) Female Sexual Function and Dysfunction. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-41716-5_9

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-41716-5_9

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-41714-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-41716-5

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation