Research Project invitation - to examine the changes in sexuality and intimacy post-cancer

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Janine
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Research Project invitation - to examine the changes in sexuality and intimacy post-cancer

Postby Janine » Fri May 15, 2009 1:09 pm




Cancer 'a blow to sufferers' sex lives'
Danny Rose, Medical Writer
May 15, 2009 - 1:04AM
Cancer patients should not let a diagnosis of the disease destroy their sex lives, an Australian expert says.

Professor Jane Ussher, from the University of Western Sydney (UWS), says a cancer diagnosis could transform a healthy relationship into one of "complete cessation of sex and intimate physical contact".

Cancer could compound its psychological effect on the patient by driving a wedge into their most significant relationship at a critical time, she says.

"For many couples, this alteration in their physical relationship is the most significant and damaging aspect of the entire cancer experience," says Professor Ussher, from the UWS School of Psychology.

She points to a pilot study of 156 partners of people with cancer - in which 80 per cent reported the diagnosis had dealt a blow to their sexual relationship.

Cessation or decreased frequency of sex and intimacy was reported by 59 per cent of women partners and 79 per cent of men partners.

The cause could be the physical limitations posed by cancers affecting reproductive organs or the pain, exhaustion and reduced libido associated with chemotherapy.

"Other reasons may be that couples ... feel that sex is inappropriate when they are coping with the illness and survival," Prod Ussher says.

"... the emotional and physical exhaustion that often results from caring for a person with cancer may leave no inclination or time for sex or intimacy.

She says partners could also repress their own sexual needs for the assumed benefit of the person with cancer.

But "sexual intimacy can make the experience of cancer more manageable and assist in the recovery process, or be central to couple closeness and quality of life in palliative care".

Professor Ussher, and fellow UWS researchers Dr Janette Perz and Dr Emilee Gilbert, have received Australian Research Council (ARC) funding for a new study to examine the changes in sexuality and intimacy post-cancer.

People with cancer, or people who have had cancer, and their intimate partners are invited to take part.

The UWS research project will be conducted in association with Westmead Hospital, Nepean Hospital, the National Breast Cancer Foundation and the Cancer Council of NSW.

For more information, or to take part in the study, contact Caroline Joyce, on 1800 19 20 02 or go online at .

© 2009 AAP
Janine

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