Dizon Discusses Elements of Sexual Health in Gynecologic Cancer

Welcome to a very special edition of OncLive^® On Air! I’m your host today, Jessica Hergert.

OncLive^® On Air is a podcast from OncLive, which provides oncology professionals with the resources and information they need to provide the best patient care. In both digital and print formats, OncLive covers every angle of oncology practice, from new technology to treatment advances to important regulatory decisions.

Today, we had the pleasure of speaking with Don S. Dizon, MD, FACP, FASCO, director of Women's Cancers at Lifespan Cancer Institute; clinical director of Gynecologic Medical Oncology and director of Medical Oncology at Rhode Island Hospital; and associate professor of medicine at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, to discuss sexual health in gynecologic malignancies.

The issues that may present for women with gynecologic cancers vary, said Dizon. However, collectively, women may develop feelings of defeminization or experience issues with body image following a diagnosis of gynecologic cancer. Additionally, treatment can cause adverse effects that may negatively impact a woman’s quality of life, explained Dizon.

In our exclusive interview, Dizon discussed the primary physical and residual psychological effects of gynecologic cancers on women’s sexual health, the challenges of broaching these topics in the clinic, and the role oncologists play in helping patients manage these difficulties