ABSTRACT
Sexuality is an important quality of life issue for everyone, regardless of age or health status. Expressions of sexuality include style of dress, values, and attitudes as well as hugging, touching, kissing, acting out scenarios/fantasies, sex toys, masturbation, sexual intercourse, and oral genital stimulation, either alone or with another. Regardless of one's role in providing care to patients, most practitioners do not have experience about discussing sexuality and intimacy in a frank, direct, and authentic manner. Addressing sexuality issues early on in the assessment and treatment of the patient allows the practitioner to open up a line of communication with the patient so that these issues can be addressed as they come up in the future. People with advanced cancer reported a high prevalence of unmet needs related to their sex lives and a high prevalence of sexual dysfunction.
