title: Psychosexual therapy and education in patients treated for cancer of the head and neck.
abstract: It is now widely accepted that cancer is a chronic disease, and in this context we have previously highlighted shortcomings in the assessment of problems with intimacy and sexuality in patients treated for cancer of the head and neck. In this paper we introduce established strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of psychosexual problems to support these patients, and describe our early experiences of their use. We include brief narratives and case reports to show how they have made a difference to patients and their partners.
authors.affiliation: Lead Cancer Nurse and Psychosexual Therapist, Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom. Electronic address: Julie.hoole@cht.nhs.uk.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hoole
authors.affiliation: Leeds Teaching Hospitals and St James Institute of Oncology, United Kingdom. Electronic address: a.kanatas@doctors.org.uk.
authors.forename: A N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Kanatas
authors.affiliation: Consultant Oral/Maxillofacial & Head & Neck Surgeon, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom. Electronic address: David.mitchell2@bthft.nhs.uk.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Mitchell
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D026441:Mind-Body Therapies; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods; D011788:Quality of Life; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000209:etiology; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000209:etiology*; D019529:Sexuality / Q000523:psychology*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents
keywords: Head and neck cancer; Health-related quality of life; Intimacy; Oral cancer; Psychosexual therapy; Quality of life