Women's Sexual Health After Cancer

Physician Assistant Lisa Egan attentively listens to a patient.
Lisa Egan, a physician assistant, offers you compassionate care for cancer-related sexual health problems. Our program is unique in the Portland area.

Cancer and cancer treatment can affect a woman’s sexual heath. At the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute and the OHSU Center for Women’s Health, we offer the Portland area’s only program to help. The Sexual Health in Women Impacted by Cancer Program offers:

  • Help coping and understanding
  • Personal education
  • Counseling
  • Treatment plans

Who can participate?

Any woman affected by cancer is welcome. This includes women who:

  • Are in cancer treatment.
  • Have had cancer treatment.
  • Have had surgery to reduce the risk of cancer.
  • Are recently diagnosed and want to know what to expect.

Common issues

Women affected by cancer may be dealing with:

  • Pain with intercourse
  • Vulvar and vaginal dryness
  • Reduced libido or lack of pleasure during intercourse
  • Difficulty reaching orgasm
  • Changes in body image
  • Physical changes from cancer treatment
  • Anxiety, depression and fear related to intimacy

How the program works

Our specialist

Lisa Egan, PA-C

We understand that these issues can be sensitive and difficult to discuss. Our specialist, Lisa Egan, PA-C, provides both compassion and expertise.

Complete care: Egan, a physician assistant, can work with you at every step, from diagnosis through recovery.

Experience: Egan has more than a dozen years of experience in gynecologic oncology (cancer and women’s reproductive health). She has a deep understanding of how chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery can affect sexual health.

Treatment

First appointment: You’ll start with a 60-minute appointment. Egan will do a physical evaluation and discuss your sexual health issues in detail. She will work with you to identify problems and develop a treatment plan.

Services: If needed, you can be referred to other OHSU specialists, such as a physical therapist, acupuncturist, mental health therapist or sex educator.

Follow-up visits: You can schedule additional visits with Egan as needed.

Request an appointment

Location

Knight Cancer Institute, South Waterfront

Center for Health & Healing, Building 2
3485 S. Bond Ave.
Portland, OR 97239

Free parking for patients and visitors

Learn more

Learn about OHSU services for sexual health during menopause.