Sex and Cancer

Intimacy, Romance, and Love after Diagnosis and Treatment

Saketh R. Guntapalli and Maryann Karinch

An intimate partnership has physical and psychological components, both of which often take a hit when cancer enters the union. The prospect, and then the process, of treatments tend to alter the way the two people relate to each other. When the diagnosis is one of gynecologic or reproductive cancer for a woman, questions of sexual intimacy and function often color relationships, confuse partners, and raise concerns that other cancers might not.

With an estimated 83,000 women a year added to the roles of those battling gynecologic cancers and 300,000 women a year added to roles of those battling breast cancer, Sex and Cancer focuses on surviving and thriving—more than 70 percent of women with gynecologic cancers now survive!—and helps readers mitigate outcomes and overcome challenges of sexual dysfunction after a cancer diagnosis; reassess the priorities in an intimate relationship to support the patient’s struggle, healing, and libido; and learn to interact with the professionals tasked with saving lives and enhancing those areas affected by cancer diagnosis and treatment. Sex and Cancer features stories that illuminate insights about the impact of gynecologic and reproductive cancers on relationships. The stories give life to guidance that’s critical in shaping the effect that gynecologic cancer has on intimate relationships. And readers will find insight, comfort, and suggestions for addresses the questions about intimacy and sexual function that are often left unexpressed.

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 184 • Trim: 6⅜ x 9¼

978-1-4422-7508-9 • Hardback • June 2017 • $44.00 • (£35.00)

978-1-4422-7509-6 • eBook • June 2017 • $41.50 • (£35.00)

Subjects: Health & Fitness / Sexuality, Health & Fitness / Women's Health, Medical / Gynecology & Obstetrics

Sex and Cancer

Intimacy, Romance, and Love after Diagnosis and Treatment

Hardback

eBook

Summary

An intimate partnership has physical and psychological components, both of which often take a hit when cancer enters the union. The prospect, and then the process, of treatments tend to alter the way the two people relate to each other. When the diagnosis is one of gynecologic or reproductive cancer for a woman, questions of sexual intimacy and function often color relationships, confuse partners, and raise concerns that other cancers might not.

With an estimated 83,000 women a year added to the roles of those battling gynecologic cancers and 300,000 women a year added to roles of those battling breast cancer, Sex and Cancer focuses on surviving and thriving—more than 70 percent of women with gynecologic cancers now survive!—and helps readers mitigate outcomes and overcome challenges of sexual dysfunction after a cancer diagnosis; reassess the priorities in an intimate relationship to support the patient’s struggle, healing, and libido; and learn to interact with the professionals tasked with saving lives and enhancing those areas affected by cancer diagnosis and treatment. Sex and Cancer features stories that illuminate insights about the impact of gynecologic and reproductive cancers on relationships. The stories give life to guidance that’s critical in shaping the effect that gynecologic cancer has on intimate relationships. And readers will find insight, comfort, and suggestions for addresses the questions about intimacy and sexual function that are often left unexpressed.

Details

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 184 • Trim: 6⅜ x 9¼

978-1-4422-7508-9 • Hardback • June 2017 • $44.00 • (£35.00)

978-1-4422-7509-6 • eBook • June 2017 • $41.50 • (£35.00)

Subjects: Health & Fitness / Sexuality, Health & Fitness / Women's Health, Medical / Gynecology & Obstetrics

Author

Saketh Guntupalli, MD, FACS, FACOG, is Vice-Chairman for Clinical Affairs and Quality in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine at Denver. He is the principal investigator for the Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG)/NRG research consortium for the University of Colorado and also serves as the director of the fellowship program in gynecologic oncology. Board certified in gynecologic oncology and obstetrics/gynecology, he is the recipient of two large grants to examine sexual dysfunction in women with cancer as well as post operative quality outcomes. Guntupalli also serves as director for the Placenta Accreta Response Team (PART) at the University of Colorado Hospital. He has a focused interest in minimally invasive surgery, such as robotics and laparoscopy, as well as novel, molecular therapeutics in the treatment of gynecologic cancer. He has authored over 40 clinical papers in journals such as the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Obstetrics and Gyneoclogy, Gynecologic Oncology and The International Journal of Gynecologic Oncology.

Maryann Karinch is the author of twenty-six books, most of which focus on human health and behavior. In recognition of her work as a dedicated explorer of the psyche and mind-body interaction, The Explorers Club took an unusual step and elected her to membership in 2010. She is also a member of The Authors Guild. In 2004, Karinch founded The Rudy Agency, a literary agency, representing the full range of fiction and nonfiction. Among the international media outlets that have covered Karinch’s human behavior work are ABC News, Boston Globe, Christian Science Monitor, Fast Company,Huffington Post, Washington Post, New York Daily News,and NPR.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents
Disclaimer
Dedication and Acknowledgments

Introduction: What hope does this book give you?

Part I: Understanding the Impact
Chapter 1: What Happens First?
Chapter 2: What Happens Next?
Chapter 3: Issues and Some Answers
Chapter 4: Like a Rat in a Lab
Chapter 5: The New Normal

Part II: Overcoming the Impact
Chapter 6: One Challenge at a Time
Chapter 7: The Continuum of Solutions
Chapter 8: Your New Normal

Conclusion: Focus on the partners

Appendix A:Tips from Former Patients
Appendix B: Selected Resources Related to Intimacy and Cancer
Glossary
Index [not included]

Reviews

Sex and Cancer is a superb resource for both patients and clinicians alike. Dr. Guntupalli masterfully tackles the complex implications for love and intimacy that are too often overlooked and underdiscussed when it comes to cancer. Regaining intimacy accelerates the path to regaining health and this book is an insightful, powerful guide to doing exactly that.
— Bill Frist, MD, former U.S. Senate Majority Leader

Sex and cancer, two topics each of which are difficult to discuss by alone. Combine them and the anxiety they cause may be insurmountable. Finally, there is a resource that is compassionate and practical for both the person coping with cancer and their loved one. This is a book that you will immediately find useful and refer back to on your cancer journey. Sex and Cancer has my highest recommendation.
— Stan Goldberg, PhD, author of Loving, Supporting, and Caring for the Cancer Patient

A diagnosis of cancer changes everything. Not only does cancer affect the body, but the disease and the treatments for it can take a toll on our most intimate relationships. Kudos to Saketh Guntapalli for shining a light on this important topic--for explaining the physiological underpinnings of these effects and for providing solutions that are often surprisingly simple to implement.
— Claudia Cornwall, PhD, author of Battling Melanoma: One Couple's Struggle from Diagnosis to Cure and Catching Cancer: The Quest for its Viral and Bacterial Causes

This book contains critical information, too often omitted from doctor-patient discussions. It will be exceedingly helpful to any woman with gynecological cancer.
— Carol L. Goldstein, RN, PhD, and ovarian cancer survivor

Sex and Cancer

Intimacy, Romance, and Love after Diagnosis and Treatment

Saketh R. Guntapalli and Maryann Karinch

Sex and Cancer

Intimacy, Romance, and Love after Diagnosis and Treatment

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