Dr Dizon on the Prevalence of Sexual Challenges in Patients With Breast Cancer

Don S. Dizon, MD, director, Pelvic Malignancies Program, Lifespan Cancer Institute, head, Community Outreach and Engagement, Legorreta Cancer Center, director, Medical Oncology, Rhode Island Hospital, and professor of medicine, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, underscores the prevalence of challenges pertaining to sexual intimacy in patients with cancer, specifically discussing those with breast cancer.

Dizon explains that approximately 50% to 90% of patients with cancer report some degree of adversity that impacts various domains of sexuality, including arousal, desire, orgasm, and satisfaction. He explains that symptoms of low sexual desire are often reported by patients, which can be attributed to a wide range of causes, including physical discomfort such as vaginal pain and dryness; and dynamics of a relationship, which can often lack structured dialogue about sex following a cancer diagnosis.

Regarding interventions and resources for sexual health support, Dizon highlights the persisting reluctance within the broader field of oncology to directly address this topic, attributing this partly to inadequate training amongst oncologists on topics pertaining to sexuality in relation to their specialty.

Nevertheless, Dizon notes that it is crucial to recognize sexual health as a potential adverse effect in patients with cancer and encourage patients to voice their concerns openly to their health care providers. Available resources include patient-centric platforms like Living Beyond Breast Cancer.

Dizon also references the Permission, Limited Information, Specific Suggestions, and Intensive Therapy (PLISSIT) model, which represents a structured approach to navigating sexual health discussions within the comfort zones of both patients and providers.

Emphasizing the need for oncologists to address sexual health concerns openly, Dizon concludes by saying available resources and structured models like PLISSIT can provide comprehensive support to patients with breast cancer experiencing post-diagnosis sexual challenges.