Sexual quality of life after cancer is an integral component of well-being for many survivors. However, the experience of cancer presents significant challenges to sexual health and well-being, often requiring survivors to negotiate the many physical, psychological, social/relational, and cultural factors that impact psychosexual functioning. By embracing a sex-positive approach to conceptualization, assessment, and treatment, psychologists can better serve the unique psychosexual needs of survivors and assist in enhancing sexual and intimate expression that promotes adaptation and flexibility. This article will (a) present a positive conceptualization of sexual health and well-being for cancer survivors and (b) discuss culturally competent treatment strategies to promote the sexual health and well-being of cancer survivors.
AlegriaC. A. (2011). Transgender identity and health care: Implications for psychosocial and physical evaluationJournal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 23, 175-182.
2.
American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed., text rev.). Washington, DC: Author.
3.
AndersonB. L.WoodsX. A.CopelandL. J. (1997). Sexual self-schema and sexual morbidity among gynecologic cancer survivors. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 65(2), 221-229.
4.
APA Presidential Task Force on Evidence-Based Practice. (2006). Evidence-based practice in psychology. American Psychologist, 61, 271-285.
5.
Ashing-GiwaK. T.PadillaG.TejeroJ.KraemerJ.WrightK.CoscarelliA.… HillsD. (2004). Understanding the breast cancer experience of women: A qualitative study of African American, Asian American, Latina and Caucasian cancer survivors. Psycho-oncology, 12, 408-428.
6.
BrottoL.BassonR.LuriaM. (2008). A mindfulness-based group psychoeducational intervention targeting sexual arousal disorder in women. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 5, 1646-1659.
7.
BrottoL. A.GinsbergS. (2010). Sexual consequences of cancer survivorship. In AlthofS. E. (Ed.), Handbook of clinical sexuality for mental health professionals (pp. 347-366). New York: Taylor & Francis.
8.
BrottoL. A.YuleM.BreckonE. (2010). Psychological interventions for the sexual sequelae of cancer: A review of the literature. Journal of Cancer Survivorship, 4, 346-360.
9.
DeRogatisL. (2008). Clinical and research evaluations of sexual dysfunctions. Advances in Psychosomatic Medicine, 29, 7-22.
10.
DuffyC. M.AllenS. M.ClarkM. A. (2005). Discussions regarding reproductive health for young women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 22, 4174-4183.
11.
EngelG. L. (1977). The need for a new medical model: A challenge for biomedicine. Science, 196, 129-136.
12.
GalantiG. (2003). The Hispanic family and male-female relationships: An overview. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 14, 180-185.
13.
GalbraithM. H.CrightonF. (2008). Alterations of sexual function in men with cancer. Seminars in Oncology Nursing, 24, 102-114.
14.
Gallo-SilverL. (2000). The sexual rehabilitation of persons with cancer. Cancer Practice, 8, 10-15.
15.
GilbertE.UssherJ.PerzJ. (2011). Sexuality after gynaecological cancer: A review of the material, intrapsychic, and discursive aspects of treatment on women’s sexual well-being. Maturitas, 70, 42-57.
16.
HarringtonC. B.HansenJ. A.MoskowitzM.ToddB. L.FeuersteinM. (2010). It’s not over when it’s over: Long-term symptoms in cancer survivors—a systematic review. International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine, 40, 163-181.
17.
HatzichristouD.RosenR.BroderickG.ClaytonA.CuzinB.DerogatisL.… SeftelA. (2004). Clinical evaluation and management strategy for sexual dysfunction in men and women. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 1, 49-57.
18.
HaysP. (2009). Integrating evidence-based practice, cognitive-behavior therapy, and multicultural therapy: Ten steps for culturally competent practice. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 4, 354-360.
19.
HensonH. (2002). Breast cancer and sexuality. Sexuality and Disability, 20, 261-275.
20.
HuyghesE.SuiD.OdenskyE.SchoverL. (2009). Needs assessment survey to justify establishing a reproductive health clinic at a comprehensive cancer center. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 6, 149-163.
21.
JenkinsR.SchoverL. R.FouldiR. T.WarnekeC.NeeseL.KleinE. A.… KupelianP. (2004). Sexuality and health-related quality of life after prostate cancer in African American and White men treated for localized disease. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 30, 79-93.
22.
Kagawa-SingerM.WellischK. (2003). Breast cancer patients’ perceptions of their husbands’ support in a cross-cultural context. Psych-oncology, 12, 24-37.
23.
KatzA. (2009). Gay and lesbian patients with cancer. Oncology Nursing Forum, 36, 203-207.
24.
KeyesC. M.LopezS. J. (2002). Toward a science of mental health: Positive directions in diagnosis and intervention. In SnyderC. R.LopezS. J. (Eds.), Handbook of positive psychology (pp. 45-59). New York: McGraw-Hill.
25.
KleinplatzP. J. (2001). A critical evaluation of sex therapy: Room for improvement. In KleinplatzP. J. (Ed.), New directions in sex therapy: Innovations and alterations (pp xi-xxxiii). Philadelphia: Taylor & Francis.
26.
KrebsL. (2007). Sexual assessment: Research and clinical. Nursing Clinics of North America, 42, 515-529.
27.
ManneS.BadrH.ZaiderT.NelsonC.KissaneD. (2010). Cancer-related communication, relationship intimacy, and psychological distress among couples coping with localized prostate cancer. Journal of Cancer Survivorship, 4, 74-85.
28.
MartinsY.TiggemannM.KirkbrideA. (2007). Those speedos become them: The role of self-objectification in gay and heterosexual men’s body image. Personality and Social Psychological Bulletin, 33, 634-647.
29.
MastersW.JohnsonV. (1970). Human sexual inadequacy. Boston: Little, Brown, & Co.
30.
MayerK.BradfordJ.MakadonH.StallR.GoldhammerH.LandersS. (2008). Sexual and gender minority health: What we know and what needs to be done. American Journal of Public Health, 98, 989-995.
31.
McKeeA. L.Jr.SchoverL. R. (2001). Sexuality rehabilitation. Cancer, 92, 1008-1012.
32.
MercadanteS.VitranoV.CataniaV. (2010). Sexual issues in early and late stage cancer: A review. Supportive Care in Cancer, 18, 659-665.
33.
MonaL.SymeM.GoldwaserG.CameronR.ChenS.ClemencyC.… LemosL. (2011). Sexual health in older adults: Conceptualization and treatment. In SoroccoK.LauderdaleS. (Eds.), Implementing CBT for older adults: Innovations across care settings (pp. 263-287). New York: Springer.
34.
NamikiS.SatohT.BabaS.IshiyamaH.HayakawaK.SaitoS.AraiY. (2006). Quality of life after brachytherapy or radical prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer: A prospective longitudinal study. Urology, 68, 1230-1236.
PelusiJ. (2006). Sexuality and body image. American Journal of Nursing, 106, 32-38.
37.
ReeseJ. B. (2011). Coping with sexual concerns after cancer. Current Opinion in Oncology, 23, 313-321.
38.
ReeseJ. B.KeefeF. J.SomersT. J.AbernathyA. P. (2010). Coping with sexual concerns after cancer: The use of flexible coping. Supportive Care in Cancer, 18, 785-800.
39.
RosenR. C.BachmannG. A. (2008). Sexual well-being, happiness, and satisfaction in women: The case for a new conceptual paradigm. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 34, 291-297.
40.
SadovskyR.BassonR.KrychmanM.MoralesA. M.SchoverLWangR.IncrocciL. (2010). Cancer and sexual problems. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 7, 349-373.
41.
SteinK. D.SyrjalaK. L.AndrykowskiM. A. (2008). Physical and psychological long-term and late effects of cancer. Cancer, 112, 2577-2592.
42.
StephensonK.MestonC. (2010). Differentiating components of sexual well-being in women: Are sexual satisfaction and sexual distress independent constructs?Journal of Sexual Medicine, 7, 2458-2468.
43.
TepperM.OwensA. (Eds.). (2007). Sexual health Vol. 3: Moral and cultural foundations. Westport, CT: Praeger.
44.
TieferL. (1991). Historical, scientific, clinical and feminist criticisms of “The Human Sexual Response Cycle” model. Annual Review of Sex Research, 2, 1-24.
45.
TierneyD. (2008). Sexuality: A quality of life issue for cancer survivors. Seminars in Oncology Nursing, 24, 71-79.
46.
World Health Organization (2006). Defining sexual health: Report of a technical consultation on sexual health, 28-31 January 2002, Geneva. Geneva: World Health Organization.
47.
WhaleyA. L.DavisK. E. (2007). Cultural competence and evidence-based practice in mental health services: A complementary perspective. American Psychologist, 62, 563-574.
48.
ZeissA.ZeissR.DaviesH. (1999). Assessment of sexual function and dysfunction in older adults. In LichtenbergP. (Ed.), Handbook of assessment in clinical gerontology (pp. 270-296). New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
49.
ZettleR. (2007). ACT for depression: A clinician’s guide to using acceptance & commitment therapy in treating depression. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications, Inc.
