Sex+and+Illness

Ciera Diggins Sex and Illness

Sex related illnesses can be defined as an illness or condition that is more common to one particular sex. For example, women are more likely to get such illnesses as breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and in western cultures they are more likely to be diagnosed with anorexia or bulimia. Men are more likely to be diagnosed with illnesses such as prostate cancer or autism. **Sex and Illness** This term can be interpreted a little differently from s ex-related illness. This can be viewed as how individuals deal with sexual relations when they also have an illness. These illnesses can be anything from the common cold to chronic illnesses that deeply impacts one’s life in many different aspects including, but not limited to physical functions, emotional feelings, and mental capacities of things. **Breast Cancer** Breast cancer is defined as an abnormal growth of breast cells. The cells begin to grow into different shapes than what is considered normal. The term “breast cancer” refers to a malignant tumor that has developed from cells in the breast(Weiss, 2008). This type of condition has many different stages but can be very life threatening. Breast cancer is considered a sex-related illness because if affects majority females. About 1 in 8 women in the United States (12%) will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime (Weiss, 2008). This number is very alarming. Breast cancer affects different ethnic groups at various ra tes. African American women have the highest rate among ethnic groups. Compared to African American women, white women are slightly more likely to develop breast cancer, but less likely to die of it. One possible reason is that African American women tend to have more aggressive tumors, although why this is the case is not known (Weiss, 2008). Breast cancer is always caused by a genetic abnormality in cells. Women are more likely to develop breast cancer if they have an immediate relative such as a mother or sister who has had breast cancer before. On the other hand about 70-80% of breast cancers occur in women who have no family history of breast cancer (Weiss, 2008). Men are not diagnosed nearly as much as women are with invasive breast cancer. In 2010, there was an expected 1,970 new cases of invasive breast cancer diagnosed among men (American Cancer Society, 2010). This number although it is significant, it is also very small when compared to the statistics of women and the rates of breast cancer. In 2010, an estimated 207,090 new cases of invasive breast cancer were expected to be diagnosed in women in the U.S., along with 54,010 new cases of non-invasive (in situ) breast cancer (Weiss, 2008). The term sex and illness can also be viewed as how one deals with sexual issues when they have been diagnosed with a chronic illness. Chronic illnesses can be defined as an illness lasting for a long period of time or persisting longer than 3 months (WebMD, 2000). When people have chronic illnesses these conditions can take a toll on their body. They affect them mentally, e motionally, and most of all physically. Many people who are affected by chronic illnesses are often tired and depressed. They seem to lose the urge to engage in sexual activity (NKF, 2010). Things like this can have a dramatic effect on the sexual life, relationship, or even one’s marriage. Individuals with chronic diseases often feel like they are not doing enough to satisfy their partners, because they have lost the desire. They often feel unattractive because of surgery scars and any other physical scars because of their chronic illness. The individual also feels useless when it comes down to anything sexually (Familydoctor.org 2010). These individuals sometimes go into a depression after initially being diagnosed with a chronic illness. The partners of individuals with chronic illnesses may feel that if they do engage in sexual activity with their partner they may hurt them, cause them harm or even death (NKF, 2010) This is another reason why the sexual activity between people with chronic illnesses and their partners may dwindle or are already low. **Communication** One thing that is key when dealing with individuals with chronic diseases and sex is communication. The partner must understand that the individual may look at themselves differently because of surgery or treatments in general. A few diseases where people often experience feelings like these are heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, arthritis, or cancer. Doctors suggest that the key to a healthier life mentally and emotionally is communication. Communication about how you feel about the smallest things, what you do and do not like and how you feel day to day (Familydoctor.org, 2010) In a sexual relationship, communication is necessary. The issues become so much more than a physical thing when dealing with chronic illnesses. When dealing with sex and chronic illness, if necessary you may need to work out actual sex plans with your partner along with the help of your physician (Familydoctor.org, 2010) These schedules may contain things such as when is the best time to have sex, how to spice up the romantic side of the sexual relationship, use lubricants to eliminate sexual discomfort, and make sure you are well rested (Familydoctor.org) Breast cancer is also considered a chronic illness. This illness plays takes a major tolls on families especially the women, seeing as though it affects mostly women. Without communication in an instance like this there is a chance families will be torn apart. Women who often keep the home together and everything functioning properly feel like they are no longer playing their roles (Familydoctor.org, 2010) As a result of women feeling like they are no longer playing their role this affects the husband and wife relationship sexually and often causes tension and arguments. Women admit that a lot of arguments are from sexual tension regardless of what they stemmed from (Weiss, 2008). At the end of the day, no matter what illness one has or does not have, communication is the key especially dealing with sex.
 * Sex-related Illnesses**
 * Sex and Chronic Illnesses**

**References** Family Doctor.org. (n.d.). Family Doctor. Retrieved April 10, 2011, from http://familydoctor.org/online/

Learn About Cancer. (n.d.). American Cancer Society :: Information and Resources for Cancer: Breast, Colon, Prostate, Lung and Other Forms. Retrieved April 11, 2011, from http://www.cancer.org/cancer/breastcancerinmen/detailedguide/breast-cancer-in-men-key-statistics  MedicineNet.com. (n.d.). Medicine Net. Retrieved April 10, 2011, from http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=2734

National Kidney Foundation: A to Z Health Guide Item. (n.d.). National Kidney Foundation. Retrieved April 11, 2011, from http://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/sexuality.cfg

Weiss, M. (n.d.). Breast Cancer Statistics. BreastCancer.org - Breast Cancer Treatment Information and Pictures. Retrieved April 11, 2011, from  http://www.breastcancer.org/sy