Muna Al-Khaifi, GP oncologist at Mount Sinai Hospital (Toronto), Sinai Health, shared on LinkedIn:
“I’m very proud of my summer research student, Jashmira Bhinder, who won First Place in the Poster Presentation at the Osler Research Institute Summer Student Research Program!
This recognition reflects her hard work and dedication across several research projects this summer.
Her award-winning poster presented preliminary findings from our study of sexual health among breast cancer survivors, an important area that remains under-recognized in survivorship care.
Among 171 breast cancer survivors, the most commonly reported sexual health concerns included vaginal dryness and pain, as well as loss of sexual desire. Among those reporting vaginal dryness, 72% identified lubricants or moisturizers as a preferred support.
Another important finding was the gap in communication: over half of survivors had not discussed sexual health with a member of their cancer care team. Survivors told us they wanted these conversations to occur proactively and across the cancer care continuum – not only after problems become severe.
The findings reinforce an important message: sexual health is an essential component of comprehensive cancer survivorship care, and these conversations need to start earlier.
Congratulations, Jashmira, on this very well-deserved achievement. I am incredibly proud of your work and all that you have accomplished this summer!”
You can also read: Muna Al-Khaifi Explores How Exercise Improves Outcomes in Breast Cancer
