Muna Al-Khaifi, GP Oncologist at Sunnybrook and Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Sexual health in cancer care is not optional — it’s essential.
Studies show up to 70–80% of breast cancer survivors experience sexual health issues such as vaginal dryness, low libido, and dyspareunia. A large population–based analysis found breast and cervical cancer survivors have a 3.5-times higher rate of sexual dysfunction compared to survivors of other cancers.
Yet sexual health remains underdiagnosed, under-discussed, and undertreated.
- NCCN, ASCO, and ESMO guidelines are clear:
Sexual health should be screened routinely at surveillance visits. - If the treating clinician is not comfortable addressing it, patients should be referred to the appropriate specialist.
Ignoring sexual health jeopardizes quality of life, treatment adherence, mental health, and relationships.
It’s time to move out of our comfort zone.
Proactive screening and management of sexual toxicities should be the standard — not the exception.
Let’s empower every healthcare provider to ask, screen, treat, or refer — not overlook.”
More posts featuring Muna Al-Khaifi on OncoDaily.