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16th Oct

2013

Breast Cancer affects thousands of women every year but one of the least publicised side effects is the impact on the sex lives of the women affected by this disease. A recent survey by Macmillan Cancer Support found that 50% of all breast cancer survivors under the age of 55 report that their sex lives have suffered as a result of their diagnosis of breast disease and its treatment.

Macmillan Cancer is particularly concerned by evidence about the long-term consequences for a woman’s sex life, with almost a third of women diagnosed ten years ago or more said they have sex less often because of their cancer. Nearly half of all women surveyed said they felt more body conscious following treatment, and one in six said that sex had become physically too painful as a result of chemotherapy or surgery.

Macmillan is encouraging breast cancer patients who need support relating to cancer’s effect on their self-esteem and sex life to get help from their consultant or GP. The Independent Oncology consultants are also wholly supportive of this approach and stress the importance of the patient, consultant and GP freely discussing the full impact of cancer treatment.

More information about the results of the survey can be found on the Macmillan Cancer website here

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