1. Exploring Sexual Intimacy and
Breast Cancer
Meg Fitzgerald MSW Dip PST
Psychosexual Therapist
The National Maternity Hospital,
Dublin

2. Overview
 Let’s Talk about Sex
 Impact of Cancer on Sexuality and
Sexual Functioning
 Resuming a Sexual Life

3. Let’s Talk about Sex
 Definitions of Sexuality
 Purposes of Sex?
 Normal Sex?

4. Impact of Cancer
At time of Diagnosis;
 Management of Treatment is main goal
 Sex not a priority
 May already be difficulties pre-diagnosis

5. Treatment
 Surgery
 Radiotherapy
 Chemotherapy
 Perceived Violation/Medicalization
 Body Image/Loss of femininity/Scarring
 Fatigue/Nausea/Hair loss
 Loss of lubrication

6. Post-Treatment
 Anxiety
 Avoidance
 Guilt
 Frustration
 Continuing Body Image Concerns
 Early Menopause?
 Fertility Concerns?

7. Sexual Concerns
 Dyspareunia-painful sex
 Lack of Desire

8. Sexuality?
 Does not go away with illness
 Post serious illness does not equal
sexual dysfunction
 How cope/make changes important

9. Resumption of Sexual Life
 Challenging Sexual Myths
 Body Image-Self Focus
 Communication
 Changing Sexual Script

10. Possible Concerns to Discuss
 What if I don’t want to be seen naked?
 If I don’t want my breasts/chest to be
caressed?
 Do I tell new partners about my
mastectomy?
 What if I am not interested in sex?
 If sex is painful?
 If I am too tired to have sex?

11. Regaining Sexual
Relationships
 Making Time
 Taking it Slowly
 Sensual Focus for self and couple
 Arousal-Lubricants/Sex Toys
 Experimenting with Sexual Positions
 ‘Good Enough Sex’

12. Some Suggestions
 www.beecourse.com
 Anne Katz ‘Women, Cancer, Sex’
 Barry McCarthy ‘Rekindling Desire’
 PST