Tumors, Sexual Dysfunctions in 50%+ of Patients
Cancer Treatment’s Impact on Sexuality Addressed at Italian Conference
Table of Contents
- Cancer Treatment’s Impact on Sexuality Addressed at Italian Conference
- Cancer and Sexuality: Addressing the Impact and Finding support
- What is the focus of the Italian conference on cancer and sexuality?
- Why is sexuality affected by cancer and its treatments?
- How common is sexual dysfunction in cancer patients?
- What is the impact of breast cancer on women’s sexual health?
- Do sexual health issues related to cancer extend beyond breast cancer?
- What are the disparities in care for cancer patients’ sexual health?
- What is being done to address the lack of research and training in this area?
- How can patients overcome fears and shame related to their sexuality?
- What kind of community support is available for cancer patients?
- Key Takeaways from the Conference
SOLOMEO, Italy (2025-04-11) – Experts convened in Solomeo, near Corciano, Perugia, for the opening of the national conference ”I still love me: sexuality in the era of therapeutic innovation of breast cancer,” issuing a call to address sexual health issues arising from cancer and its treatments. These issues, often present at diagnosis and exacerbated by oncological interventions, can substantially affect a patient’s quality of life, adherence to therapy, and overall clinical outcomes.
Prevalence of Sexual Dysfunction
Studies indicate that over 50% of cancer patients experience sexual dysfunction at the time of diagnosis, a number that tends to increase following treatment. Breast cancer is especially emblematic, with up to 60% of patients reporting sexual problems and relationship difficulties after diagnosis and subsequent therapies.
Impact on Women’s Health
Alessandra Fabi, national councilor of the Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM) and scientific manager of the conference, noted the profound impact of cancer diagnoses on women. “Mammary neoplasia affects a very particular part of the female body,” Fabi said, “that has always been synonymous with motherhood, femininity, and eroticism. This almost always determines anguish, stress, and discomfort for patients.” She added that treatments should aim to guarantee libido and overall psycho-physical well-being.
Broader Oncological Implications
Saverio Cinieri, president of the AIOM Foundation and a member of the conference’s scientific committee, emphasized that these problems extend beyond breast cancer. He stated that in bladder carcinoma, more than 80% of patients, both men and women, report pain during intercourse, difficulty reaching orgasm, decreased desire, and erectile dysfunction. Similar issues arise in head and neck cancers, as well as gynecological and urological carcinomas.
Addressing Disparities in Care
Vetromile Amalia, head of the Sexandthecancer* project and a member of the scientific committee, highlighted disparities in care. “As happens for fertility, sexuality should also be guaranteed and preserved in all patients,” Amalia said. She noted that women frequently enough face greater difficulties communicating with clinicians and are less likely to have their sexual health addressed by their medical team, leading to disparities in access to care and increased financial burden.
Call for More Research and Training
Francesco Perrone, national president of AIOM, acknowledged the lack of scientific literature on sexuality in oncological patients. “As a scientific society, we are engaged in this issue and have created a specific working group,” Perrone said. The group is working to improve the readiness of Italian oncologists through a multidisciplinary approach. A review on sexual dysfunctions and therapeutic approaches affecting women, men, and the LGBTQIA+ community is forthcoming.
Overcoming Fears and Shame
Fabi stressed the importance of addressing these issues directly. “Guaranteeing oncological patients the right to live their sexuality is today an objective goal,” fabi said. “We must help women and all oncological patients overcome their fears and shame and be able to face these themes with the entire medical attending team.” She urged clinicians to be more prepared to discuss intimate aspects of the disease with patients, recognizing their importance.
Community Support
Stefano Gabrielli, Councilor for Corciano and President Philharmonic Solomeo, emphasized the community’s commitment to supporting scientific research.”The conference ‘I love me still’ represents for Solomeo a new experience at the service of scientific research for the health of our communities,” Gabrielli said. Hosting oncologists from across Italy to develop new techniques against tumors offers an opportunity to provide closer attention to those in need.
Cancer and Sexuality: Addressing the Impact and Finding support
What is the focus of the Italian conference on cancer and sexuality?
The national conference, “I still love me: sexuality in the era of therapeutic innovation of breast cancer,” held in Solomeo, Italy, aimed to address sexual health issues arising from cancer and its treatments. Experts convened to discuss the impact of cancer on sexuality and explore ways to improve the quality of life for patients.
Why is sexuality affected by cancer and its treatments?
Cancer and its treatments can substantially impact a patient’s sexuality due to several factors:
- Physical Changes: Cancer treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, can cause physical changes that affect sexual function.
- Psychological Impact: A cancer diagnosis can lead to emotional distress, including anxiety, stress, and depression, which can negatively impact libido and sexual desire.
- Hormonal Changes: Some treatments can affect hormone levels,leading to sexual dysfunction.
- Specific Cancers: Certain cancers, such as breast cancer and bladder carcinoma, can directly impact sexual organs and function.
How common is sexual dysfunction in cancer patients?
Studies indicate that over 50% of cancer patients experience sexual dysfunction at the time of diagnosis, and this number tends to increase following treatment. For breast cancer patients,up to 60% report sexual problems and relationship difficulties after diagnosis and therapies.
What is the impact of breast cancer on women’s sexual health?
According to Alessandra Fabi, a national councilor of the Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM), breast cancer affects a crucial part of the female body, which is associated with motherhood, femininity, and eroticism. This often leads to anguish, stress, and discomfort for patients. Treatments should aim to preserve or restore libido and overall psycho-physical well-being.
Yes, according to Saverio Cinieri, president of the AIOM Foundation, sexual problems are not limited to breast cancer. For exmaple, in bladder carcinoma, over 80% of patients (men and women) report pain with intercourse, difficulty reaching orgasm, decreased desire, and erectile dysfunction. Similar issues arise in head and neck cancers, as well as gynecological and urological carcinomas.
What are the disparities in care for cancer patients’ sexual health?
Vetromile Amalia, head of the Sexandthecancer* project, highlighted disparities in care. Women often face greater difficulties communicating with clinicians about their sexual health and are less likely to have these issues addressed by their medical team. This can lead to a lack of access to care and increased financial burdens for patients.
What is being done to address the lack of research and training in this area?
Francesco Perrone, national president of the AIOM, acknowledged the lack of scientific literature on sexuality in oncological patients. The AIOM has created a specific working group to improve the readiness of Italian oncologists through a multidisciplinary approach.A review on sexual dysfunctions and therapeutic approaches affecting women,men,and the LGBTQIA+ community is forthcoming.
Fabi stressed the importance of addressing these issues directly. She emphasized that guaranteeing oncological patients the right to live their sexuality is an objective goal. Patients need help to overcome fears and shame and be able to discuss these themes with their medical team. Clinicians should be prepared to discuss intimate aspects of the disease with patients, recognizing their importance.
What kind of community support is available for cancer patients?
The community is committed to supporting scientific research and providing closer attention to those in need. The conference, ”I love me still,” represents an opportunity to develop new techniques against tumors and support the health of the community, as emphasized by Stefano Gabrielli, Councilor for Corciano, and President Philharmonic Solomeo.
Key Takeaways from the Conference
Here’s a summary of the key issues discussed at the Italian conference:
| Issue | Key Points |
|---|---|
| Prevalence of Sexual Dysfunction | Over 50% of cancer patients experience sexual dysfunction, increasing after treatment. |
| Impact on Women’s Health | Breast cancer and its treatments can profoundly affect femininity and well-being. |
| Broader Oncological Implications | Sexual dysfunction concerns extend beyond breast cancer, impacting various cancer types. |
| Addressing Disparities | Women face obstacles in communicating about their sexual health, leading to care disparities. |
| Need for Research and Training | Increased research and improved training for oncologists are vital. |
| Overcoming Fears and Shame | Medical teams should help patients address fears and embrace their sexuality. |
| Community Support | Community involvement is crucial to support scientific research and patient well-being. |