Body Image, Sexuality and Relationships

Body Image

Cancer and its treatment can change our bodies in many different ways and this can affect how we feel about ourselves.

Body image concerns are common in people affected by cancer, some people may feel uncomfortable or unhappy with their bodies. Others may feel anxious and avoid going out or socialising. Concerns about your body may make you feel less feminine or masculine.

There are many things you can do to improve your body image. There are also different ways to get help and support.

Macmillan: Body Image and Cancer. This explains how cancer and its treatment can affect your body and the way you see it.

Look Good Feel Better. This is a cancer support charity with the specific aim of helping to boost the physical and emotional wellbeing of people undergoing cancer treatment.

Boots Macmillan Feel More Like You Boots Macmillan Beauty Advisors are trained to give free, face-to-face advice to help people cope with the visible side effects of cancer treatment.

Several charities offering support for specific cancers provide information and guidance on their internet sites, for example Breast Cancer Care and Bowel Cancer UK

Sex, Intimacy and Cancer

We recognise how difficult it can be to talk about sex and relationships.

We also know that it is an important part of life for many people. You do not have to be in a relationship or having sex to have questions or need support.

Many changes caused by cancer treatment are temporary and usually get better after treatment. As you recover you may find your sex life goes back to how it was. Sometimes people have to adjust to changes that last longer or that may be permanent.

These changes can affect the way you feel about your body and can affect relationships or how you feel about being intimate with someone. Some people can find it difficult to talk about how their treatment has effected their body image and/or sex life.

There can be ways to improve your sexual well-being and to manage problems so please do speak to your healthcare provider (Clinical Nurse Specialist or GP for example) as they may be able to help you.

Advice for specific cancer types

Several charities offering support for specific cancers provide information and guidance on their internet sites, for example Breast Cancer Care, Prostate Cancer UK and Bowel Cancer UK. See below for some specific examples:-

Click here to access the Bowel Cancer UK webpage ‘Body image and sex’ which talks about intimacy after bowel surgery (with or without stoma). From this page you can access online communities for further support and there is access to a Bowel Cancer UK booklet called ‘Living Well’ (for life after bowel cancer treatment).

Click here to access the Breast Cancer Now webpage titled ‘Sex, intimacy and breast cancer’ which includes information about changes to your body and sex, intimacy and the effects of breast cancer treatment.

Click here to access the Prostate Cancer UK webpage that relates to ‘living with prostate cancer’ this includes information about hormone therapy, pelvic floor exercises, sex and relationships, urinary problems and information and advice for gay and bisexual men.

Menopause

For those women who are suffering with menopausal symptoms (such as hot flushes and vaginal dryness etc) as a result of their cancer treatment there is some useful information on the following website, which is written by a GP and Menopause specialist called Dr Louise Newson.

The ‘resources’ sections of the website includes podcasts, videos and a number of leaflets and booklets including:-
‘Menopause and Cancer’ - this covers what the menopause is, symptoms you may experience, advice on treatments and lifestyle changes, and where to turn to for further advice and support).
and
’HRT for those with high inherited risk of of cancer’ (written in conjunction with Ovarian Cancer Action) - this is aimed at those who have a higher than average risk of developing Ovarian Cancer (such as those who have fault in their BRCA1/BRCA2 genes) who commonly undergo risk-reducing surgery to minimise their risk of a future gynaecological cancer’.
’Cancer Treatment - did someone mention menopause’ - a guide about the menopause for young women after treatment for cancer. This booklet was written in conjunction with a patient who experienced the menopause at 15 years old, after her cancer treatment. It covers subjects such as why menopause can happen after cancer treatments, how to recognise the signs, and how to look after your mind and body for the future.
Main website: www.menopausedoctor.co.uk

LGBTQ+

Live Through This is a charity that supports and advocates for LGBTIQ+ people affected by cancer. They provide a safe space for anybody who identifies as part of the queer spectrum and has had an experience with any kind of cancer at any stage from testing, diagnosis, treatment, remission to long term care. The resources section of their website includes a document called ‘sex with and beyond cancer’.

Psychosexual Counselling

Sometimes it helps to talk about sexual problems; your healthcare team or someone in the Cancer Wellbeing and Information Centre can refer you for counselling. We also have access to a psychosexual therapist who aims to help individuals or couples understand themselves and their life situations more clearly, make decisions and adapt to help themselves come to terms with problems and achieve a more satisfying life. The therapist works with men and women, individuals and couples, young people over 16 and the elderly. Therapy is offered across a wide range of circumstances including:

sexual difficulties such as loss of desire, problems with arousal or orgasm, pain on penetration, etc
erectile dysfunction
emotional problems related to loss of sexual interest or function following an illness or operation
other sexual difficulties such as problems with body image, sexual identity, sexual orientation, or difficulties related to a past history of sexual abuse
past or present difficult life experiences contributing to reproductive of sexual health problems and low self image

Cancer and relationships

A diagnosis of cancer can bring about a wide range of emotions for both the patient and those they care about; shock, fear, anxiety, denial, sadness, anger, resentment and guilt.

These emotions can affect our relationships and the way we communicate with those we care about.

Talking about your feelings can help you understand your reactions and help you to find answers to problems or a way forward this might be with someone you know and trust or someone outside of your situation.

The Cancer Wellbeing and Information Centre are always happy to spend time with you and listen to your concerns – please call or email us to discuss your needs.

We may be able to refer you for counselling or psychosexual support.

For some people, joining a support group can be helpful and we can discuss which one might be suitable for you.

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