Dr. Krychman on Treating Cancer-Related Sexual Issues

Michael L. Krychman, MD, Medical Director of Sexual Medicine, Hoag Memorial Presbyterian Hospital, Executive Director of the Southern California Center for Sexual Health and Survivorship Medicine, discusses managing and treating sexual health concerns in cancer patients and survivors.

Krychman believes it is important to development a sexual health treatment paradigm, irrespective of the cancer diagnosis. There are often systemic changes due to the treatment of cancer that have a far-reaching effect on sexual function, regardless of the location of the tumor.

While it is important to have a general view for evaluating and assessing the implications of cancer on sexuality, the anatomical site of the cancer also plays an important role. Krychman notes that certain cancers have a direct effect on sexual function, such as cancers of the breast or the genito-pelvic sexual response organs.

Krychman adds that taking the cancer into consideration is important but having a global view of the effect of cancer on the human experience of sexuality is critical as well.