#CulturalBarriers

A growing chorus of oncologists warns that cancer survival is not the end of the journey. Many survivors, especially women with gynecologic cancers, endure unaddressed sexual side effects long after treatment ends. Chronic vaginal pain and painful intercourse diminish quality of life and strain relationships, even when cancer is curable. A Guardian commentary by a senior oncologist highlighted a patient whose curable cancer left her living with years of sexual pain due to insufficient aftercare and open communication.

A recent call by leading oncologists highlights an often-overlooked aspect of cancer care: the unaddressed and persistent sexual side effects experienced by many survivors, particularly women. Despite advances in cancer treatment and survival rates, distressing symptoms such as chronic vaginal pain and painful intercourse continue to affect the quality of life for thousands, including those whose cancers are considered imminently curable. This troubling issue has come into new focus following a commentary in The Guardian by a prominent oncologist, who detailed the story of a patient whose curable cancer left her suffering years of sexual pain due to lack of adequate aftercare and frank communication.