Sexuality in the doctor’s office embarrasses oncologists

Although cancer treatments have a major impact on patients’ sexual health, discussing sexuality is often taboo. That discovered Esmée Krouwel, physician-researcher at the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC). With her research she wants to highlight how important it is that this should change.

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According to the doctor-researcher, the extent to which doctors and nurses talk about sex with patients varies greatly. “There is a lot of room for improvement,” says Krouwel. She examined how healthcare professionals across the country speak to cancer patients about the impact of their treatments on their fertility and sexual function.

cesspool

The doctor-researcher asked, among others, oncological and plastic surgeons, radiotherapists, medical oncologists and nurses why they prefer not to talk about sexuality. The answer varied. The most common explanation was time pressure. “Because if a patient wants to talk about sexuality, a cesspool can open. And then? Doctors often state that they do not have the skills to provide the right treatment. They need specialists to refer to.”

As an extension of her research, Krouwel is working on drawing more attention to the subject. For example, she is co-author of the website of the foundation Sick and Sex, where advice on various diseases and how they can influence sexuality. On Thursday 12 May, Krouwel will defend her dissertation.

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