Body image and sexuality after treatment for cancer

The view you have about your body (your body image) may change when you have cancer. It is normal to be angry, frustrated, or disappointed after cancer surgery or during treatment for cancer. For example, surgery to remove a breast may profoundly affect body image because the appearance of the female breast is emphasized in our society.

People recovering from cancer often feel anxious or guilty that previous sexual activities may have caused their cancer or that further sexual activity could cause the cancer to return or be transmitted to their partner. Sexual activities or injuries do not cause cancer, and cancer cannot be transmitted from one person to another.

Sexual problems can be caused by physical or psychological changes related to the cancer or cancer treatment.

• Physical changes can include damage to or removal of nerves, blood vessels, or organs from the growth of the cancer or by the treatments to remove the cancer. Pain during intercourse because of changes in the vagina can be caused by chemotherapy or hormone therapy. General pain, fatigue, and discomfort can result from cancer treatment.
• Psychological changes can include depression, confusion, anxiety, guilt, and stress caused by the diagnosis of cancer and changes in your body image after surgery and treatment for cancer. These psychological factors are often the most troublesome after treatment is complete.

The stress of being diagnosed with cancer may spill over into other areas of your life, including your personal and sexual relationships. Some people may experience less sexual pleasure or lose their desire to be sexually intimate. Those without partners often stop dating altogether because they feel that a potential partner might reject them because of their history of cancer.

Discuss your concerns with your doctor, a counselor, or another health professional. You may also contact your local chapter of the American Cancer Society to help you find a support group. Talking with other people who may have had similar feelings can be very helpful.