title: [Sexuality and genito-urinary cancers].
abstract: In mythological terms, cancer symbolizes death and suffering, and sexuality, on the other hand, symbolizes life and pleasure. This diagnosis whether explicit or not, calls for two-fold reflection. Firstly the individual is faced by the inexorable approach of death and is called to bury his fantasies of immortality. Secondly, it also constitutes a threat to the body-image, and this may have profound repercussions on sexuality. The author investigates the impact of genito-urinary cancers and also cancers of the breast, which are included on the basis of its symbolic nature, on the patient's personal life: conjugal dynamism, socio-professional life and, in particular, physiological changes of sexual function.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tordjman
mesh_terms: D001293:Attitude to Death; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000209:etiology*; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology; D013561:Symbolism; D014565:Urogenital Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy