Sexual rehabilitation medicine in a female oncology setting

Comprehensive oncological care has recently expanded not only to include diagnosis and treatment but survivorship medicine as well. Tertiary health care facilities are now developing multidisciplinary survivorship programs that focus on helping cancer patients live active, fulfilled lives while dealing with the potentially damaging and longstanding sexual ramifications of cancer and cancer therapy. As part of a growing trend, health care institutions are establishing specialized sexual health programs to address cancer patients' sexual needs using functionalized survivorship curricula. Such programs provide individual or couples management to men and women who suffer from sexual dysfunction as a result of a cancer diagnosis and/or treatment. Using the Sexual Health Program at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center as a prototype for the development of future sexual health programs, this article will discuss the specific components and benefits of such programs. An effective program focuses on 4 key issues-clinical care, patient education and support, medical and scientific research, and medical education and training for health care professionals and providers. This article will discuss how sexual health programs benefit the female cancer patient (it should be noted, however, that these programs, such as the one at our institution, are usually available for either sex).