The sexuality clinic in the breast center: Sex as a survivorship issue

Abstract

Breast cancer and its treatments can cause sexual dysfunction in up to 90% of women with the disease. Front line care providers often do not have the time or training to focus on this quality of life issue and the private nature of the topic can prevent women from pursuing help. By setting up a clinic specifically devoted to sexuality issues, breast cancer treatment centers can provide a place to address these issues and help patients deal with the after-effects of their treatment. As breast cancer survivor rates and disease-free intervals increase, the demand for a service that supports women returning to as near-normal a life as possible will only grow. © 2008 Copyright Cambridge University Press 2008.