According to the study presented at the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) led by an Indian-origin scientist, annual meeting in Chicago recently it was revealed that women who are diagnosed with gynaecologic cancers may experience reduced sexual activity after treatment. The team observed that sexual activity was down from 6.1-6.8 times per month before treatment to 2.6-4.9 times per month post treatment. These women undergo treatments including radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery. The study involving 315 women assessed sexual and marital dysfunction before and after cancer treatment.

Gynecological cancers include cancer of the cervix, uterus, ovaries, vagina and vulva. "It is a topic that not many people want to talk about because it is uncomfortable," said Saketh Guntupalli, assistant professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

"We think that if couples are given the option to go to counselling during cancer treatment it may help with their sexual health in the long run," Guntupalli explained.

By Lizitha