Sexual Health, Fertility, and Relationships in Cancer Care

"This book, from the International Psycho-oncology Society, is the second in a series of brief Companion Guides for Clinicians. The series editors identified a need for a guide to focus on the impact of cancer and oncology treatments on sexual health, fertility and relationships. The topic is approached from a psycho-oncology perspective, i.e. placing the emotional, behavioural and social elements at the centre of the topics covered in the chapters.The aim is to describe approaches and treatments that can be utilised by cancer clinicians, mental health professionals, psycho-oncologists in training and allied psychosocial oncology professionals. It emphasises the importance of multidisciplinary care. The guide is not intended to replace national clinical guidelines and policies but gives a more generic international overview of the important factors and elements that need to be considered when dealing with sexual health, fertility and associated relationship issues for cancer patients at all points on the treatment trajectory. Topics include: management of sexual health; onco-fertility care; relationship issues. It covers standards of good practice across all cancer patients, as well as focussing on the needs of individuals, couples, young people and LGBT groups in a pragmatic format for use in everyday practice.Assessment methods are covered, alongside psychological treatments, covering a wide range of patient ages and types of cancer. Policies, service issues, legal, ethical, confidentiality and communication issues are also covered.This brief pocketbook manual can be used for quick reference. This will suit oncology professionals who decide to look further into a topic on a case-by-case or problem-focussed basis as they undertake clinical work"--