Session #3: Sexual Health and AYA-O Care

Presented by Sharon Bober, PhD

Treatment-related changes in sexual health and sexual development are common and profoundly distressing for AYAs, yet the majority of AYAs receive little or no support for these problems. The majority of oncology providers also receive little or no training around how to address sexual health. Dr Bober’s presentation will include how to communicate with AYAs about sexual health, nuts and bolts for how to identify and assess common problems, and practical strategies for helpful intervention.

Landmark Articles

Cherven B, Sampson A, Bober SL, Bingen K, Frederick N, Freyer DR, Quinn GP. Sexual health among adolescent and young adult cancer survivors: A scoping review from the Children’s Oncology Group Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Discipline Committee. CA Cancer J Clin. 2021 May;71(3):250-263. doi:

Olsson M, Steineck G, Enskär K, Wilderäng U, Jarfelt M. Sexual function in adolescent and young adult cancer survivors-a population-based study. J Cancer Surviv. 2018 Aug;12(4):450-459. doi: 10.1007/s11764-018-0684-x. Epub 2018 Mar 5. PMID: 29508213.

Frederick NN, Lehmann V, Ahler A, Carpenter K, Cherven B, Klosky JL, Nahata L, Quinn GP. Psychosexual functioning in cancer survivorship: What the pediatric oncologist needs to know. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2023 Aug;70(8):e28437. doi: 10.1002/pbc.28437. Epub 2021 Dec 6. PMID: 34873822; PMCID: PMC9167888.