UBC Pharm Sci study highlights long-term impact of colorectal cancer on women’s sexual health

June 4, 2025

A new UBC-led study is drawing attention to a critical yet often overlooked aspect of colorectal cancer survivorship—its long-term impact on women’s sexual health.

The research, led by Dr. Mary De Vera, Associate Professor in the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and colorectal cancer survivor, analyzed data from over 25,000 women in BC diagnosed between 1985 and 2017. The findings reveal significantly increased risks of painful sex (dyspareunia), early menopause, pelvic inflammatory disease, and endometriosis among colorectal cancer survivors, compared to women without cancer. Younger women were particularly affected, with notably higher risks of sexual health complications.

Dr. De Vera and co-author Dr. Lori Brotto, a professor in UBC’s Faculty of Medicine and an expert in women’s sexual health, emphasize the urgent need for improved education and support around sexual health in cancer care.

Read the full media release


  • General News

UBC Crest The official logo of the University of British Columbia. Urgent Message An exclamation mark in a speech bubble. Arrow An arrow indicating direction. Arrow in Circle An arrow indicating direction. Arrow in Circle An arrow indicating direction. Caret An arrowhead indicating direction. Chats Two speech clouds. Facebook The logo for the Facebook social media service. Fax A lineart image of a fax machine. Information The letter 'i' in a circle. Instagram The logo for the Instagram social media service. Linkedin The logo for the LinkedIn social media service. Location Pin A map location pin. Mail An envelope. Menu Three horizontal lines indicating a menu. Minus A minus sign. Telephone An antique telephone. Plus A plus symbol indicating more or the ability to add. Print A lineart image of a printer. Search A magnifying glass. Twitter The logo for the Twitter social media service. X The logo for the X social media service. Youtube The logo for the YouTube video sharing service.