Joan Thomas, Macmillan Nurse specialist has designed a plastic device which helps in prevention of scar formation during radiotherapy or gynecological surgery in cancer patients. The scarring in these cancer patients hinders the normal sex life after treatment. The new device helps to reduce the risk of scarring in women undergoing treatment for gynecological cancers involving vulva and vagina.
Joan Thomas, is Macmillan Nurse specialist who has worked most of her career for cancer patients, the new Femmax dilator may help about 234 000 women who are suffering from gynecological cancers. These devices can be used in different graduating sizes even for months after surgery to prevent scarring. These Femmax dilators are inserted into vagina, to avoid scarring; it keeps the vagina healthy and supple and reduces scarring.Joan Thomas said, "The loss of femininity, sexual desire and body image that women can suffer after radiotherapy or gynecological surgery is very real and, even for those who are not sexually active, they can find medical examinations uncomfortable."
Dr Anne Szarewski, Cancer Research UK clinical consultant, said: "We welcome any innovation which may help women cope with the trauma of cancer treatment.
"The sexual needs of such women are often forgotten, and yet are a very important part of life for many couples."
(Source: BBC News)
