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Macmillan and Cancerbackup merged in 2008. Together we provide free, high quality information for people affected by cancer through our publications, website and phone service. Find out more| .
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Nearly all of the sexual problems people have with their cancers are variable and can be temporary. Loss of control, loss of part of your body, grieving and anger; all of these can be healed, or resolved to an extent, given the opportunity and time. Support from people around you can be very helpful. Cancer need not mean the end of your sexual life, whether you are heterosexual, gay, bisexual, transgender, and in a relationship or not.
Communication is essential for healthy sexuality in a relationship. You can use this section to find out more about possible side effects, so that you can prepare yourself for changes. You and your partner, if you have one, can consider how to manage this aspect of your life. You might want to gather more information or resources to help you feel in control of maintaining good sexual self-esteem while having treatment.
Being open to change encourages healthy sexuality. You may need to develop a whole new style of openness and flexibility in your relationship.
It might be, for example, that one of you has always taken the lead in sex. This may have to change now. It could be that your favourite lovemaking positions are no longer comfortable, if only for a time. One or both of you may have seen sex as being entirely about intercourse. Clearly if penetrative sex is impossible for some reason you may want to start exploring other ways to have sexual pleasure.
Acknowledging your own and your partner’s needs is essential for healthy sexuality within couples. Remember that it’s not just the person with the cancer who will be affected. It can be more upsetting to watch someone we care for undergoing surgery and other treatments than to go through it all ourselves.
Sometimes it is the partner of the person with cancer who has a problem about sex.
Your partner may feel afraid to touch you for fear of hurting you. Some people incorrectly believe they might catch the cancer through sexual contact. Your partner may lose desire as a direct result of the changes brought about in you. They may also feel rejected if they do not realise that your lower sexual desire is due to the cancer or its emotional effects|.
It is also important to acknowledge that your partner’s sexual drive may not be reduced. Sometimes it can even increase, if intimate touch helps to reassure them in times of stress. It may be important to talk through with your partner how they might increase their own self-stimulation to reduce any frustration resulting from reduced sexual contact. This may not be what you would ideally want but it can be a useful way for both of you to meet your needs.
Emotional intimacy may increase through greater communication, even when sexual intercourse is not possible.
Books and videos on sexual issues are available from shops and the internet - often they are not on display in shops so you may need to ask directly. Your local library may also have some useful books| that you can borrow.
Starting again and relearning about sensual bodily pleasures may be important for anyone who has a break in sexual contact. When rebuilding intimacy you may need to start very slowly and gently. Try caressing one another without a goal of orgasm or penetration. Remember that there are many loving and erotic activities other than intercourse.
Early on, and perhaps even while your therapy is going on, you can keep love alive by cuddling and holding one another. Learning to massage one another can be supportive.
A person with cancer doesn’t have to give up sexual contact completely.
Some people may find that they do not miss sexual contact and that not having sex is not a problem for them.
One thing is certain, when you have been through the diagnosis of cancer you’ll never be the same again. Your view of your life, your relationships, your job and your family will all change. Managing all this change can be difficult to deal with, but you can use this challenge to build your relationships.
taking up new interests that they’d been putting off for years.
The idea of getting back to normal may well mean a whole rethink of your sexual life. This might not be easy. If you find that things aren’t going well, look for help sooner rather than later.
If you have had problems for a while, remember that sex therapists and counsellors are used to helping couples who have let matters drift, slowly getting worse, so that by the time they get help the relationship may have serious problems.
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If you have any questions about cancer, need support or just want someone to talk to, ask Macmillan.
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