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Feb 12, 2019 4:19:00 PM | cancer The Beauty of Intimacy Minus the Race for Orgasm | achs.edu

Patient questions about sexuality during cancer treatment. Intimacy and loving support are needed more than ever for healing. Dr. Boice helped establish a collaborative team at Cancer Treatment Centers of America [Southwestern Regional Medical Center].

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Judith Boice, ND, LAc, FABNO, a naturopathic physician, acupuncturist, best-selling  author, international speaker, and associate professor at the American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS), https://achs.edu/staff/judith-boice began exploring how to respond to patient questions about sexuality as a member of a medical team at Cancer Treatment Centers of America [Southwestern Regional Medical Center].

 “When patients repeatedly stopped me before I left their room to ask, “What about sex while I’m going through cancer treatment and afterward?” I knew we were missing a very important educational component patients required to make informed decisions about their treatment options. These patients’ concerns also alerted me that we were not adequately addressing sexuality during their ongoing recovery and healing. It became crystal clear that patients were deeply concerned about their lack of libido and ability to function sexually and how that affected their relationship with their partner,” says Dr. Boice.   

Dr. Boice helped establish a collaborative team consisting of members from multiple departments throughout the treatment center whose objective was to first understand the concerns of their patients and then create a protocol to address issues related to their sexuality. The team quickly realized most patients wait for their doctor to talk about sexual issues, and many are too embarrassed to ask.  Next, they established a medical team approach designed to explain the full impact of surgical and radiation treatment for both patients and their family members. They offered a variety of therapies that could restore vaginal tissue and help men recover their erectile function.

Dr. Boice emphasizes that intimacy in any relationship is as important, if not more important, than racing for the orgasm.  “When coping with the overwhelming emotions brought on by the traumatic experience of chronic illness or cancer treatment, intimacy and loving support are needed more than ever for healing,” she says.

“One of the primary ways clinicians can support cancer survivors is to help them expand their understanding of sexuality to include sensuality. As a sexual signature, sensuality is the ability to fully experience one’s senses. Smelling, tasting, seeing, hearing, touching, and feeling combine to awaken the body and can strongly contribute to a sexual connection,” says Dr.  Boice.

To learn more about Dr. Boice and her work with cancer patients, you can go to her article Let’s Talk About Sex: Sexuality During and After Cancer Treatment published in The Natural Medicine Journal.

https://www.naturalmedicinejournal.com/journal/2018-10/let%E2%80%99s-talk-about-sex-sexuality-during-and-after-cancer-treatment

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Judy Starr

Written By: Judy Starr

Judy Starr, VP of External Relations at American College of Healthcare Sciences, has more than 25 years of experience working with nonprofit organizations and brings her expertise in marketing and communications to ACHS. She has raised millions of dollars during her career through her work with major gift donors, foundation grant writing and corporate relations. Judy is a vegan who seeks to inspire others with her passion for organic unprocessed foods. As a licensed esthetician for 28 years, she has served at day spas and at the Ann Wigmore Institute in Aguada, Puerto Rico, where she taught skin care classes and provided skin care and Reiki treatments. Through her unique career journey, she has learned the value of choosing pure unadulterated natural ingredients for customized skincare regimens. Her niche spa experience gives her a unique perspective and platform to share industry-specific knowledge in the realm of natural skin care, body care and holistic wellness. Judy has been a Reiki master for 20 years.