This video has a compelling story told by a young English couple talking about their sexual relations and experience with in vitro fertilization after the woman’s treatment for cervical cancer. It’s nice to know that some couples are brave enough to talk about sex after cancer treatment. Sexuality affects many cancer patients and their spouses. It is important to talk about this aspect of your cancer treatment with your doctor.

Here’s more information from our companion website that you may find helpful:

There are a wide range of reasons for changes in sexuality during cancer treatment, and the reasons relate to the treatments themselves as well as to other side effects of treatment.

Surgery has a variety of effects on sexuality. Removal of all or part of a reproductive organ decreases hormone levels, which can lead to overall loss of sexual desire. Such surgery can lead to premature menopause in younger women, and may make sexual intercourse painful or difficult for younger and older women. Surgery in the pelvic area in men can damage the nerves leading to the penis, causing erectile dysfunction. Lastly, surgery that changes body appearance, as with removal of a breast or a testicle, can affect how a person feels about his or her body image. A negative body image can change how you feel about your sexual desirability.

Chemotherapy or radiation therapy to the pelvis may damage the ovaries in women or the testicles in men, both of which can reduce the amount of hormones produced. This loss of hormones may cause a loss of sexual desire in men and women, premature menopause in younger women, and erectile dysfunction in men.

The side effects of cancer treatments also play an important role in sexuality. Side effects such as fatigue, nausea and vomiting, pain, diarrhea, and mouth sores can substantially reduce a person’s interest in sex and his or her feelings of desirability.

Some treatments are available for physical sexual issues. For example, vaginal dryness can be treated with vaginal moisturizers and lubricants. Several drugs are available for erectile dysfunction, including sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil (Levitra), and tadalafil (Cialis). These drugs may not be appropriate for every man, and men should talk to their doctors about the risks and benefits. Hot flashes in both women and men have been relieved with low doses of antidepressants such as fluoxetine (Prozac), venlafaxine (Effexor), duloxetine (Cymbalta), and paroxetine (Paxil).

Open communication with your spouse or significant other is key to maintaining a good intimate relationship. You and your partner should share concerns and fears. Talk about ways to be intimate other than with sexual intercourse. You should both understand that it is safe to have sex during cancer treatment (unless your doctor tells you otherwise). Counseling (individual, couples, and/or sex therapy) may be helpful.

This is an Oncology Podcast segment for women about preparing for hair loss and how to cover the head with wigs and scarves.

Here’s more information from our companion website, patientresource.net:

Hair loss from chemotherapy usually begins within 10-14 days after the start of treatment and gets worse within 1 to 2 months. In some instances, depending on the chemotherapy drugs, hair loss may begin with a sensation of the scalp itching, and within a few hours hair begins to fall out. Hair loss typically continues throughout treatment. Hair usually begins to grow back 4-6 weeks after the end of treatment. In general, hair grows back at a rate of about one-quarter inch per month.

It takes longer for hair to be lost during radiation therapy. Hair loss in the area being treated usually begins 2-3 weeks after the first treatment. All hair in that area falls out within about 1 week and may begin to regrow 3-6 months after treatment has ended. However, the hair loss may be permanent.

There are no effective ways to prevent the loss of hair during cancer treatment. Being gentle with your hair may help make your hair loss more gradual and improve the regrowth of your hair.

The best way to manage hair loss (medical term is alopecia) is to think about what will make you feel most comfortable with your appearance. Most people with cancer have found that it is easier to make that decision before treatment starts. Many women choose to wear a wig, but some women find wigs to be irritating or itchy. If you decide to get a wig, consider several factors.

Tips on Wigs
* Buy the wig before treatment begins or at the beginning of treatment — you can better match your hair color and texture
* Try on several different wigs to find one that you really like
* Consider buying two wigs, one for everyday use and one for special occasions
* If you can’t afford a custom wig, buy a standard (less expensive) wig and have it professionally styled
* Ask if the wig can be adjusted — your wig size can shrink as you lose hair
* Get a prescription from your doctor for the wig because it is often covered by health insurance (Prescription must state “skull prosthesis for hair loss caused by cancer treatment”)
* Contact your local branch of the American Cancer Society to learn about free wigs that have been donated by patients after they have completed treatment

Wearing a scarf, hat, or other type of head covering is also a choice. Your scalp may be tender from treatment (especially radiation therapy to the head), and a head covering can protect your scalp against cold and sunlight. If you do not wear a head covering, make sure to use sunscreen on your scalp when you will be outside.

Some people choose to cut their hair short so that hair loss will not be as traumatic when it falls out. Others shave their head completely before treatment begins. How you handle hair loss is a personal decision and the right choice is the one that makes you feel most comfortable.

Being Gentle To Your Hair
* Use a soft-bristle brush and/or a wide-toothed comb
* Wash hair with a gentle, pH-balanced shampoo (avoid shampoos with strong detergents, chemicals, or frangrances)
* Do not use hair dryers, hot rollers, or curling irons
* Do not bleach or color your hair or get a permanent
* Avoid hair sytles that pull on the hair, such as braids or ponytails
* Sleep on a satin pillow case or put a hair net on to decrease friction

There are a number of resources that provide wigs and related products. The following is list of retailers provided by the American Cancer Society:

ChemoSavvy
PO Box 175
Green Mountain Falls, CO 80819
Toll-free number: 1-888-599-3560
Web site: www.chemosavvy.com
This company supplies wigs, hats, scarves, turbans, and accessories for women and children to consumers.

Doma Designs
426 East Bissell Avenue
Oil City, PA 16301
Toll-free number: 1-888-603-1206
Web site: www.domadesigns.com
This company supplies hats, bandanas, and accessories for women, men, and children to consumers.

Headcovers Unlimited
2020-C Anders Lane
Kemah, TX 77565
Toll-free number: 1-800-264-HATS (4287)
Web site: www.headcovers.com
This company supplies wigs, turbans, hats, and accessories for women, men, and children to consumers.

Look of Love International
1795-B Route 27 South
Edison, NJ 08817
Toll-free number: 1-800-526-7627
Web site: www.lookoflove.com
This company supplies wigs and accessories to consumers.

“tlc” Tender Loving Care®
PO Box 395
Louisiana, MO 63353-0395
Toll-free number: 1-800-850-9445
Web Site: www.tlcdirect.org
This company supplies wigs, hats, turbans, breast prostheses, bras, and other products to consumers. “tlc” is a part of ACS Products, Inc., an affiliate of the American Cancer Society.

Yako Corp DBA Hai’s Wigs
6474 Lake Worth Road
Lake Worth, FL 33463
Toll-free number: 1-888-471-2659
Web Site: www.ladywig.com
This is an online retailer that also has a physical store selling wigs and hair accessories. This company specializes in treatment-related hair loss.

Tender Loving Care®
PO Box 395
Louisiana, MO 63353-0395
Toll-free number: 1-800-850-9445
Web Site: www.tlcdirect.org
This company supplies breast prostheses, bras, wigs, hats, turbans, and other products to consumers. “tlc” is a part of ACS Products, Inc., an affiliate of the American Cancer Society