Vol. 1 No. 3 - 🤠Let’s talk about sex…sexual health after CRC
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Dear Thriver,
Thank you so much for the incredible engagement and encouragement following our last edition of Colorectal Cancer Research Digest on biomarker testing. This new edition is especially close to my heart as it coincides with June - National Cancer Survivorship Month. I am excited to share our latest publication—hot off the press in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute—highlighting sexual health outcomes after colorectal cancer among females.
As someone who has lived through this experience, I hope this first-of-its-kind population-level research brings much-needed attention to an often overlooked but vital aspect of survivorship.
With gratitude,
🍽️ The digest: Let’s talk about sex…sexual health after CRC
Year published: 2025
Why we did the research: This study is meaningful to me – I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer at 36, eight months after giving birth. I experienced firsthand then, and continue to experience now, the impact of the disease on sexual and reproductive health. That’s why I set out to study clinical outcomes among females, to help shine a light on these critical aspects of survivorship.
Dr. Mary De Vera shortly after lower anterior resection walking around the ward with her baby who was then learning to walk.
How we did the research: We used British Columbia health data, including the BC Cancer Registry, doctor visits, and hospitalizations. We analyzed rates of sexual health issues—like pain during sex, early menopause, pelvic infections, and conditions like endometriosis—in females diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
Why this research matters: As a both colorectal cancer patient and researcher, I know that the challenges of cancer don’t end when treatment does. This study highlights sexual and reproductive health concerns that are not rare—but they are often invisible, and can have serious, lasting impacts. Too many patients suffer in silence with issues that are difficult to talk about, and that needs to change. Through this research, I hope to raise awareness, break the silence, and help ensure no one feels alone in their survivorship journey.
đź“Ł Word is getting out...the study made the news
I'm so glad we got the conversation started on sex after colorectal cancer.
Since our study was published on June 1st, it’s sparked attention from researchers, clinicians, and the media. The University of British Columbia featured the study in a media story, and it was also picked up by Medscape and others.
It means a lot to see this important—but often overlooked—topic finally getting the spotlight it deserves. Let's keep this conversation going.
🎓Celebrating our team members
This study was led by Dr Mary De Vera's PhD student, now Dr. Niki Oveisi. Dr. Oveisi is the 1st PhD student to have completed a thesis on cancer supervised by Dr. De Vera.
That's it for today!
đź‘‹ Before you go, we'd love to know what you thought of today's newsletter to help us improve the Digest experience for you.
Hit reply to let us know. Was it too hard to follow? Too long, didn't read it all? Leave you with more questions? Let us know! We read every response.
Talk soon,
Mary, Alexander, and Joy — The Colorectal Cancer Research Digest editorial team
