Bethany Rhoten on Sexuality After Treatment of Head and Neck Cancer

Bethany Rhoten, PhD, RN, associate professor at Vanderbilt School of Nursing, discusses sexuality after treatment of head and neck cancer and how healthcare providers can help their patients communicate quality of life issues.

In a small qualitative study with 11 head and neck cancer survivors, Rhoten found that specific functional deficits inhibited sexual activity.

This needs to be addressed by healthcare providers, Rhoten says, because patients want to resume a normal sex life after treatment.

Rhoten adds that if a clinician feels that quality of life issues are important, patients will be more likely to open up about their issues.