Sexuality and the cancer survivor: a silent coexistence

Human sexuality is an important aspect of well-being that can be altered significantly by cancer and cancer treatment. Because cancer was not considered a chronic illness until recently, this important quality of life issue usually is not addressed by nurses or other health care professionals. It is essential that nurses have the appropriate knowledge, skill, and attitudes to address the oncology patient's concerns about sexuality effectively. This article helps the nurse to become aware of the sexual changes that can occur as a result of cancer, its treatment, or both, and to recognize the importance of sexuality to patients. Using Annon's PLISSIT (permission, limited information, specific suggestions, and intensive therapy) model of sexual assessment, the nurse can learn how to assess a patient's sexual concerns. The model also can help the nurse to learn about interventions that assist patients with these concerns, thus breaking the silence.