Download PRESS RELEASE - Sexual Advice Association

PRESS RELEASE
16th November 2010, for immediate release
IMPORTANCE OF HELPING CANCER PATIENTS OVERCOME
SEXUAL DIFFICULTIES IS RECOGNISED
A booklet that has been adopted by the Sexual Advice Association about Sexual Recovery
after Cancer, received formal recognition at the 2010 Excellence in Oncology Awards in
Liverpool. It was written by a team of cancer and sexology experts, and supported by a
range of charitable and patient organisations.
The patient information booklet entitled “Intimacy & Sexuality for Cancer Patients and their
Partners: A booklet of Tips and Advice for your Journey of Recovery” received the Highly
Commended Award for Best Patient Initiative. A copy of the booklet can be downloaded free of
charge from the Sexual Advice Association
http://sexualadviceassociation.co.uk/downloads/sexuality-intimacy-for-cancer-patients.pdf
What the judges said: “This is exactly what is needed. For so many doctors, it’s a sensitive and
awkward subject that is hopelessly addressed and ignored by many clinicians. This booklet
answers the tough questions that are difficult to answer.”
Dr Brandenburg said: "Sexual problems are amongst the longest lasting side effects of
cancer and cancer treatment. Currently about 1 million cancer patients are living with these
difficulties in the UK alone. They can have a huge impact on confidence, the couples’ relationship
and overall quality of life. We hope that receiving this award will help increase awareness of this
little understood issue and help more patients and health care professionals find out about our
resource, gain confidence to dare raising the subject in their consultations and stimulate further
work in this area."
Several charities and patient support groups have supported the printing of the booklet. They are:
Breast Cancer Care, Sutton Coldfield Municipal Charities, UHB Charities & the Patrick Room,
Good Hope Hospital Urology Department and Prostate Cancer Support Group and Breast
Friends, Sutton Coldfield.
The booklet was written by a dedicated group of professionals who worked across NHS
boundaries fuelled by their enthusiasm for creating a practical resource they knew had long been
needed but difficult to create within NHS constraints. It was developed and evaluated with public
and patient involvement. The authors are: Dr Darja Brandenburg (Consultant Macmillan Clinical
Psychologist & Sex Therapist (ED, Good Hope Hospital, Birmingham), Sonia Malik (Assistant
Clinical Psychologist, Birmingham), Lorraine Grover (Cancer Nurse Specialist & Sex Therapist)
and Barry Quinn (Lead Chemotherapy Nurse) both of St George’s Hospital London.
Available for further comment/interview:
 Dr Darja Brandenburg (Project Lead & editor) 07905873562
 Jo Dyke, Prostate Cancer Survivor & Chairperson of Prostate Cancer Support Group,
Sutton Coldfield (0121 6866491)
 Jackie Benzecry, Breast Cancer Survivor & Chairperson of Breast Friends, Sutton
Coldfield (0044 121 3783037)
Contact:
Dr Darja Brandenburg
[email protected]
Tel 07905873562