The patient has lung cancer and voices concerns about cancer treatments affecting sexuality. What is the nurse's best reply?

A) "That is something to ask the health care provider."
B) "Chemotherapy will work in the lungs and should have no effect on sexuality."
C) "How cancer treatment affects sexuality depends on how active you are and your age."
D) "Sexual changes are common with cancer therapy. Let me get someone who can answer your questions."

Cancer therapies have the potential to cause fatigue, apathy, nausea, vomiting, malaise, and sleep disturbances, all of which interfere with a patient's sexual functioning. It helps if the nurse can develop a comfort level in acknowledging with patients that sexual changes are common at any age level. When patients begin to discuss their sexuality, be familiar with the expert resources in your institution (e.g., psychologist, social worker) available for patient referral. The issue should not be pushed onto the health care provider.