A Women's Health Conversation with Lisa Martinez

"We are all breast cancer survivors" says Lisa Martinez, Executive Director of The Women's Sexual Health Foundation. One in eight women alive today will be diagnosed with breast cancer - that's my mom, your girlfriend, my nieces, your daughter...the chain of survivorship is a tightly linked net. Surely, breast cancer does or will touch someone we love.

With medical advancements in treatment and funding supporting access for more women, today, there are over 2.1 million U.S. women who are living with breast cancer as survivors. Yet, despite many advances, cancer still has a profound impact on a woman’s physical, cognitive and sexual function. Sexual dysfunction has been said to impact 21% – 39% of breast cancer survivors and may be higher for those on hormone treatments, and even higher for women diagnosed with gynecological cancers.

Combinations of the cancer treatments are dependent upon multiple factors like the tumor size and type of cancer but all cancer treatments have side effects and the possibility of impacting the sexual esteem and function of a woman. The impact of cancer and its treatments on a
woman’s sexuality are significant. Side effects like pain and fatigue often impact a woman’s sexual function, sexual identify and feelings of attractiveness.

Estrogen antagonist treatments (i.e. Tamoxifen) for women who are estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor positive complicate sexual function and a woman’s sexual esteem due to the medically induced menopause. Many of these physical side effects impact a woman’s sexuality both covertly and overtly, as seen in the expression of the sexual self. Lowered immunities, lack of energy, appetite changes, bone and muscle ache and changes in physical appearance can lead to changes in intimate relationships.

Women report feelings of guilt for not being able to maintain their many roles as mother, wife,
partner and employee. Partners are often timid about initiating sexual contact out of fear of hurting her or being perceived as selfish.

If you're a breast cancer survivor, you'll want to listen to our blogtalkradio show this Saturday, May 9th at 9:30 am EST.

This is a 30-minute radio show with on-line chatting feature that is on the internet and available by first registering on the blogtalkradio home page. You will be emailed a username and password. From there follow the instructions which will take you to the show page. You can either listen through your computer (audio) or you can just simply dial in to the phone number. The phone number is (646) 929-6265. The show will be available as a downloadable podcast immediately afterwards.

Please join us!