title: Sex, intimacy, and the gynecologic oncologists: survey results of the New England Association of Gynecologic Oncologists (NEAGO).
abstract: Sexuality is an important aspect of life and is often affected in patients diagnosed with cancer. For women, estimates of sexual dysfunction range from 40 to 100%. In light of these statistics, we were interested in determining the comfort level and practice of specialists in gynecologic oncology as it relates to taking a sexual history and addressing related concerns by conducting a survey of the New England Association of Gynecologic Oncologists (NEAGO). Our results show that although nearly all respondents felt comfortable addressing sexual problems in their patients, less than half took a sexual history in new patients and 80% did not feel there was sufficient time to devote to exploring sexual issues. The results of our survey suggest that aspects of sexual dysfunction in women with gynecologic cancer may be neglected by gynecologic oncology providers. This encourages cancer programs to develop formal resources for women with questions regarding sexuality following a diagnosis of cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Sexuality, Intimacy, and Fertility of the Program in Women's Oncology, Women and Infants' Hospital, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI 02905, USA.
authors.forename: Doreen L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Wiggins
authors.forename: Roxanne
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wood
authors.forename: C O
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Granai
authors.forename: Don S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Dizon
mesh_terms: D003237:Connecticut / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008404:Massachusetts / Q000453:epidemiology; D008495:Medical Oncology; D009511:New England / Q000453:epidemiology; D009513:New Hampshire / Q000453:epidemiology; D012237:Rhode Island / Q000453:epidemiology; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014707:Vermont / Q000453:epidemiology