In exploring how cancer nurses address the sexual concerns of those affected by cancer it is important to look beyond the optimal skills and knowledge of individual practitioners to consider the organizational and service delivery contexts that shape professional practice. The cancer nurse is often key to assessment of sexual health needs, supporting referral to or liaison with medical specialists, sexologists or psychosexual therapists depending on the professional and service delivery models operating in that country / region. In acute oncology, nurses can play a central role in the prevention or reduction of sexual difficulties associated with cancer therapy through provision of information and support regarding treatment impact on sexual function and relationships. Prophylaxis of female sexual difficulties arising from pelvic radiotherapy may be achieved through provision of vaginal lubricants and dilators while many specialist nurses offer biomedical management of erectile dysfunction resulting from pelvic cancer treatment. Cancer nurses operate in a variety of care settings, employing diverse skills and knowledge related to their different roles and levels of professional intervention. The P-LI-SS-IT model is a conceptual framework that can be used to analyse levels of sexual health management offered by nurses within cancer services. Cancer nurses commonly intervene from the level of \"Permission\" to that of \"Specific Suggestions\", with sexologists and psychosexual therapists working more at the level of \"Intensive Therapy\" as outlined by Annon (1976). However in many countries, cancer survivorship, rehabilitation and psychosocial aspects of recovery remain marginal areas of research and service development when compared to cancer diagnostics and treatment delivery. The practice of onco-sexology takes place within these inter-disciplinary and cross-speciality margins. Nurses must work collaboratively with medical and therapy colleagues in oncology and sexology to ensure the sexual health needs of those affected by cancer are addressed as a legitimate aspect of post-treatment recovery.
Conflict of Interest: None disclosed
Financial Support/Funding: None disclosed
Recorded: Sydney, Australia, April 2007
more about this speaker
