Post Date December, 03 2023
For many cancer patients, sexual life cannot be carried out normally, which is one of the major problems. Due to the progress of science and technology, the survival time of cancer patients will be greatly extended, and the quality of life during the diseased survival period will follow, such as how to treat sexual life.
The determinants of sexual function of male cancer patients include: personal aspects: age, sexual knowledge, sexual attitude, emotional state, sexual fear; Disease and treatment: stage and location of cancer progression, treatment measures, treatment time, and communication with doctors; In terms of partners: previous sexual relations, emotional exchanges, conflicts and misunderstandings. Special attention should be paid to the following high-risk groups with sexual maladaptation, including:
(1) Young, unmarried patients who are uncertain about their gender identity.
(2) Elderly patients who believe that "natural" sexual desire will be seriously reduced or lost with age, and will cause physical injury.
(3) Patients who lack the ability to communicate with sexual behavior and disease problems.
(4) Patients with sequelae of radical surgery and combined treatment.
It is well known that depression and anxiety can inhibit sexual desire and sexual function, and sexual dysfunction can worsen due to the self-reinforcing mechanism of the vicious cycle, which is as follows:
Sexual dysfunction → critical self-observation → fear of failure, partner's negative reaction → avoidance of sexual behavior → further deterioration of sexual dysfunction.
The re-establishment of sexual relations after cancer treatment is not only an indication of the therapeutic effect, but also a strategy to deal with diseases and sequelae, as well as the relationship between the patient and his partner.
Avoidance behavior is a self-defense mechanism to protect the self-esteem that can no longer withstand the attack from being hurt. It is also a strategy for patients to avoid exposing their physical disability image or painful dysfunction. On the other hand, maintaining or resuming sexual contact may be an important strategy to restore and enhance the feelings and intimacy of both parties. Reacquiring the performance ability of sexual function may be an important suggestion to restore the body's sense of perfection and control ability. No wonder some cancer patients report increased sexual activity.
