Effects of cancer on the sexuality and fertility of women.

As more Americans become cancer survivors, sexuality and fertility have become more paramount issues in cancer care. Both the disease and the treatments used can produce both short-term and long-term effects that can confound sexual expression and fertility. The identification of these sequelae in survivors of cancer has led to the exploration of methods to predict, prevent, or minimize their occurrence. This article addresses the effects of cancer and cancer care in those undergoing treatment and surviving the array of diseases known as cancer.