HJBR Jul/Aug 2022

52 JUL / AUG 2022 I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE ONCOLOGY DIAL GUE COLUMN ONCOLOGY STUDIES estimate that 40-100% of patients with cancer report some form of sexual health dysfunction, with up to 75% of breast cancer patients affected. Despite the preva- lence of these problems, there are limited conversations with medical professionals about sex. Only 29% of patients with breast cancer reported conversations with their physicians. Gender disparity also exists with female patients less likely to be asked about their sexual health (22%) than males (53%). In addition, female patients are less likely to receive information about the impact on their sex life (33%) as compared to male patients with prostate cancer (80%). Sexual health is an important component of quality of life, irrespective of age, sexual orienta- tion, or stage of disease. Sexual health is the third most common concern among cancer survivors. Sexual dysfunction can lead to nonadherence or discontinuation of cancer therapy, especially use of aromatase inhibi- tors or tamoxifen given the extended length of time on therapy. Breast surgery also can significantly im- pact sexual dysfunction. The breast is more likely to remain a part of intimacy in pa- tients undergoing lumpectomy (65.4%) as compared to nipple-sparing mastec- tomy (42.9%). In addition, patients choos- ing lumpectomy report a more pleasurable breast caress as compared to nipple-sparing mastectomy — 66.2% versus 20%. Interest- ingly, patients undergoing nipple-sparing mastectomy versus skin-sparingmastectomy had more sexual dysfunction with incom- plete recovery of nipple sensation. Due to the significant impact on cancer patients, there have been several guide- lines published by Cancer Care Ontario and American Society of Clinical Oncology. The guidelines recommend that a member of the SEXUAL HEALTH in Women with Breast Cancer