| 709 Room 517-D | Sexuality and Health Wednesday, July 13, 2005 Time: 8:30 AM-10:30 AM |
Sexuality & Cancer-Addressing The Taboo Subject in Cancer Care.
Akkerman, Doreen*,1, Hordern, Amanda2, 1 The Cancer Council Victoria, Carlton, VIC, Australia2 LaTrobe/Austin Health Clinical School of Nursing, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
ABSTRACT- Introduction: Despite the integral role sexuality plays in every persons emotional and social development throughout their entire life span, the sexual needs of people with cancer are very rarely addressed in the clinical setting. Sexuality remains the taboo subject for many health care workers who frequently express an uncertainty about-not knowing where to begin or, who presume that people with cancer remain solely focused on survival. Main body: The aim of this paper is to present a critical overview of workshops conducted by the Cancer Information and Support Service (CISS) in response to this gap in service provision. Titled: Sexuality and Cancer-The Taboo Subject, the format of these workshops have been developed for health professionals and patients in the area of cancer and palliative care, with a goal to facilitate communication and offer practical strategies at a clinical practice level. Each workshop provides evidence based information on the effects of cancer treatment on self-image, sexuality and intimacy when people are confronted with a diagnosis of cancer. Strategies to assist in the physical and psychological adaptation to living with cancer are explored in depth. A critical evaluation of the program from facilitator and consumer perspective is offered. Conclusion: These highly innovative and interactive workshops have been positively evaluated by participants as providing practical strategies, information and resources for consumers and health professionals within the cancer and palliative care settings.
Key words: communication, education, cancer & sexuality, healthcare