Cancer Survivorship 4

Cancer treatment can damage the endocrine system, resulting in a variety of thyroid, adrenal gland, hypothalamic, and pituitary issues. “Some chemotherapy can cause hypothyroidism, but the evidence is not so clear compared to the impact of radiation,” says Sai-Ching “Jim” Yeung, M.D., Associate Professor of General Internal Medicine in the Department of General Internal Medicine, Ambulatory Treatment and Emergency Care at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Cancer treatment can damage the endocrine system, resulting in a variety of thyroid, adrenal gland, hypothalamic, and pituitary issues. “Some chemotherapy can cause hypothyroidism, but the evidence is not so clear compared to the impact of radiation,” says Sai-Ching “Jim” Yeung, M.D., Associate Professor of General Internal Medicine in the Department of General Internal Medicine, Ambulatory Treatment and Emergency Care at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Long-term survivors of cancer, especially childhood cancer, have an increased risk of diabetes and obesity. Sai-Ching “Jim” Yeung, M.D., Associate Professor of General Internal Medicine in the Department of General Internal Medicine, Ambulatory Treatment and Emergency Care at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, says “There is no clear data to guide a clinical management of type 2 diabetes in cancer patients and obesity…diet and lifestyle changes are fundamental.”

Long-term survivors of cancer, especially childhood cancer, have an increased risk of diabetes and obesity. Sai-Ching “Jim” Yeung, M.D., Associate Professor of General Internal Medicine in the Department of General Internal Medicine, Ambulatory Treatment and Emergency Care at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, says “There is no clear data to guide a clinical management of type 2 diabetes in cancer patients and obesity…diet and lifestyle changes are fundamental.”

Sexual dysfunction is one of the most persistent consequences of cancer treatment. Sexual dysfunction affects about 70% of prostate cancer survivors, at least half of men who have colorectal or bladder cancer, and about a third of men who receive bone marrow transplants. “Sexual dysfunction can have a really negative impact on quality of life and relationships, and oncologists need to help patients make informed choices about their cancer treatment and about the symptoms they have afterwards,” says Leslie Schover, Ph.D., Professor of Behavioral Science at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Sexual dysfunction is one of the most persistent consequences of cancer treatment. Sexual dysfunction affects about 70% of prostate cancer survivors, at least half of men who have colorectal or bladder cancer, and about a third of men who receive bone marrow transplants. “Sexual dysfunction can have a really negative impact on quality of life and relationships, and oncologists need to help patients make informed choices about their cancer treatment and about the symptoms they have afterwards,” says Leslie Schover, Ph.D., Professor of Behavioral Science at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.