HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Oncs trivialize side effects: the 2 big ones

AlaskaAngel · 07-09-2007, 12:42 PM

Doctors and patients are not being open about this issue and so it festers.

Loss of libido affects sexuality and that is difficult enough to deal with, but libido is also more than sexual. It has to be recognized that depression with breast cancer hasa genuine hormonal basis.When a person's life experience based on hormonal levels has taught them that they have a particular role in life as female or male, and especially when they have taken on sexual attachments and responsibilities to others, and that hormonal level is abruptly destroyed by treatment (along with any physical changes and, for some, the nightmare of mets) there needs to be in-depth counseling in support of that wound, including careful advance preparation PRIOR TO treatment. There also needs to be genuine commitment to further research to try to find better ways to care for it.

Although each of us is isolated from each other's experience in dealing with this problem, two things that were also evident in this study are:

1. Estrogen deprivation with breast cancer treatment is much greater than the estrogen deprivation that comes with ordinary menopause. It likely is much more difficult to treat, including vaginal dryness that is worsened by further treatment. We all need to stop pretending that it is nothing more than common menopause.

2. The percentage of patients suffering from this issue may be as high as up to NINETY PERCENT.This is happening to a very, very large group of people, not only the breast cancer patients, but their significant others.

I hope you will join me in raising the consciousness of your own health care providers, in breaking down the barriers for the next woman with breast cancer who sees them.

AlaskaAngel

07-09-2007, 12:42 PM	#33
AlaskaAngel Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Alaska Posts: 2,018	Testosterone Study Results Doctors and patients are not being open about this issue and so it festers. Loss of libido affects sexuality and that is difficult enough to deal with, but libido is also more than sexual. It has to be recognized that depression with breast cancer hasa genuine hormonal basis.When a person's life experience based on hormonal levels has taught them that they have a particular role in life as female or male, and especially when they have taken on sexual attachments and responsibilities to others, and that hormonal level is abruptly destroyed by treatment (along with any physical changes and, for some, the nightmare of mets) there needs to be in-depth counseling in support of that wound, including careful advance preparation PRIOR TO treatment. There also needs to be genuine commitment to further research to try to find better ways to care for it. Although each of us is isolated from each other's experience in dealing with this problem, two things that were also evident in this study are: 1. Estrogen deprivation with breast cancer treatment is much greater than the estrogen deprivation that comes with ordinary menopause. It likely is much more difficult to treat, including vaginal dryness that is worsened by further treatment. We all need to stop pretending that it is nothing more than common menopause. 2. The percentage of patients suffering from this issue may be as high as up to NINETY PERCENT.This is happening to a very, very large group of people, not only the breast cancer patients, but their significant others. I hope you will join me in raising the consciousness of your own health care providers, in breaking down the barriers for the next woman with breast cancer who sees them. AlaskaAngel