Leslie Schover on Psychological Elements of Sexual Dysfunction

Leslie Schover, PhD, clinical psychologist and professor of Behavioral Science at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the psychological elements of sexual dysfunction after cancer.

Men with sexual dysfunction after cancer tend to have self-esteem issues. Schover says that such issues are worse among Hispanic and African American because they incorporate racial stereotypes into their self-esteem.

Women express feelings of perceived loss of beauty and fear of being unloved.

Nurses can validate patients’ feelings, but should also recognize when a patient is particularly distressed and in need of counseling.